Crystal Palace paid Premier League rivals Liverpool £26m to sign France international centre-back Mamadou Sakho in 2017
Crystal Palace fans will be sick of the constant speculation linking Wilfried Zaha with a move away from Selhurst Park.
But it seems that they will have to get used to suggestions that key centre-back Mamadou Sakho could be on his way too with Roy Hodgson’s side struggling down the bottom end of the Premier League table.
Palace paid a mammoth £26 million to sign the former PSG captain in August 2017 (The Guardian) after a terrific loan spell under Sam Allardyce, during which he helped The Eagles pull off a dramatic escape form relegation.
But, in quotes reported by RMC, Sakho has indicated that he could soon look to move on after two years in Crystal Palace colours.
“I’ve always been ambitious, and I’ve worked to reach the highest levels of football since I was a trainee. Today my ambition remains the same,” said the France international, who recently received his first international call-up for two years.
“I want to play in the biggest competitions possible. If I said otherwise that would tell you that I lack ambition, and that I am happy with what I’ve got.
“Why shouldn’t the Champions League be on my mind? Ask any Crystal Palace player and they will tell you the same thing.”
The 28-year-old had spent his entire career at the top level before joining Palace, winning the Ligue 1 title with PSG before spending four years at Liverpool.
The Mirror reported in July that Lyon were keen to bring Sakho back to France and, if they are still interested, the giant centre-back could perhaps have his head turned by the Ligue 1 side’s presence in the Champions League this season.
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