Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho has been linked with a move away from the Premier League and a return to Ligue 1 with Lyon.
One of Crystal Palace’s star players is a target for a Champions League club. But, this time, it is not Wilfried Zaha who is at the centre of the rumour.
Instead, it is centre-back Mamadou Sakho who has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park. It is reported by the Mirror that Lyon are hopeful of bringing the former Liverpool and PSG man to Ligue 1.
But the Mirror adds that Lyon are only willing to pay £13 million for Sakho – exactly half the fee that Crystal Palace spent when signing him from Liverpool a year ago.
And, with manager Roy Hodgson making it clear that he does no want to lose any of his star players, it would be a major surprise if the Eagles decided to sell the 28-year-old at a £13 million loss.
Furthermore, the Mirror adds that Sakho would have to accept a big reduction in his £100,000 a week wages. Then again, it will be interesting to see whether a return to France would appeal to a player who missed out on a place in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup winning side.
Sakho initially moved to Palace on loan in January 2017 from Liverpool and proved an immense addition as Sam Allardyce’s side escaped relegation. But injuries limited him to just 18 Premier League starts in his first full season with the London club.
Lyon finished third in Ligue 1 last season, sealing qualification for the Champions League in the process.
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