24 Aug 2013

'He wants to leave': BR bids €10m for 'flattered' star who wants LFC move

In his pre-Aston Villa press conference yesterday, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed that he plans to sign another central defender before the summer transfer window closes. With Sebastian Coates set to miss the entire season through injury, the club's need for defensive reinforcements is particularly acute, but it seems a ready-made replacement could be waiting in the wings.

Reports in England this week claim that France defender Mamadou Sakho has 'told PSG that he wants a move to Anfield this summer'.

This follows on from a report last week in French newspaper Le Parisien, which claimed:

* Sakho demanded a meeting with Olivier Letang, PSG's sporting director, to discuss the possibility of a transfer.

* Liverpool made contact with Sakho during the January transfer window, and the club has now reignited its interest.

Liverpool have allegedly made a €10m-bid for Sakho, and Earlier this week, PSG boss Laurent Blanc confirmed again that the defender is on the way out of PSG. He told French newspaper L'Equipe:

"It is true that Mamadou wants to leave. Until September 2, the situation will develop and there will be time to find a solution that suits both parties."

Speaking to L'Equipe earlier this year, 6'2 Sakho admitted that he'd 'finally come to accept' that his time at PSG is over, and bemoaned his slip down the pecking order. He said:

"In the mind of the PSG coach, I'm the third choice, and I do not understand it. I have to play at club level to qualify for the France team. Next season will be important. It's been a difficult year and a half for me at PSG. To continue my progress, I must be playing."

When asked in July about the possibility of a move to Anfield €13m-rated Sakho told reporters:

"I am flattered by the interest of historic clubs like Liverpool and AC Milan. We will see what happens in the near future.”

Liverpool desperately need another experienced centre-back, and Sakho definitely fits the bill:

* 23-years old so fits FSG's profile.
* Strong, fast, and athletic, qualities needed in the club's defence.
* Available for a comparatively low fee.
* Apparently wants to join Liverpool.

This seems like it could be another Willian situation though. The Brazilian also expressed interest in signing for the Reds, but greed got in the way, and he rejected the club for a bigger salary.

Hopefully, Sakho will not do the same. After recently being dropped from the France national team, he'll need to player regularly to secure his place at next year's World Cup, and he probably has more chance of playing regularly at Liverpool than anywhere else.



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70 comments:

  1. ssssssshhhhhhhhh just in case spurs hear.

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  2. would be a good move for sakho and lfc not holding my breath though been disappointed to many times this year

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  3. He will be linking up at Spurs then! Looooool seriously though, as a left footed cb, surely he's not in and Agger out to Barca? We've just made him Vice captain.... Great signing if we can keep him away from Baldini and AVB! I'd like Micah Ruchards too, Brendan!

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  4. Fowler.....goal!7:53 am, August 24, 2013

    Good player but he might not be first choice if he comes to us. I wont be holding my breath on this one.

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  5. This one's a no-brainier for me. He might like the idea that Cissokho plays for us as well. One of my concerns would be that apparently, he's a left centre back, he wants to play seeing its a World Cup year. Would our new vice captain have to give way to him from time to time? That and the fact he will cost £12M. Very reasonable, I think, but will FSG sanction it? Not sure where we stand with them, even Rodgers seems a bit frustrated.

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  6. I would be thrilled with his signing. He is exactly the type of CB we should be going in for. He has experience at the top level and has proven his quality. He also offers us, like you said, power and athleticism which we currently don't have. He would be our most mobile CB and his pace would be an excellent asset to our defence.

    Rodgers has also stated that he is looking for a left winger to free up Coutinho and allow him to play more centrally. Any thoughts on who we might be in for JK? Now that the Willian deal is dead I'm not sure of anyone else that we have credible links with.

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  7. I wont be holding my breath either, for anyone linked with us. Disappointing to learn FSG pulled the plug on the Willian bidding, and not BR. Only bright side is, Chelsea have "done a Spurs" and he will go to the Bridge.
    The anger from Spurs and their fans online is really enjoyable, I dont know what their problem is, they have Siggurdson ready for action.

    Sakho would be an upgrade on what we have, hope we get him.

    A very telling game today, as to where we are,
    We are all nervous about the game this evening, but really, should LFC be nervous about a game against a team like AV, no way. They were lucky to avoid the drop last year, and have not bought anyone significant.

    For those of you who dont have Sky, BT, etc, here is the best free link to watch the game online, but dont put it all over the net, keep it on this site only.

    http://www.viponlinesports.eu/sports/football.html

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  8. RonAldo, John Aldridges son.

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  9. He is left footed so it wont work with agger at the club
    but papadoplous would be fantastic
    and sign damiao and we have a op 4 squad

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  10. Haven't seen him live but clips of Ljajic look good.a bit like Suarez with his dribbling along the byline.Not sure if there's any true interest from us though

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  11. Seriously why are people saying this all the time? What's wrong with 2 left footed defenders? What's the difference to a right footed CB partnership?

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  12. The plan is to bring in a CB to let Wisdom go out on loan? Either way, wisdom stays or get a new CB. They will be a bench warmer. Toure and Agger are Rodgers favourites. Sakho is trying to leave PSG for first team football, so I don't think it will happen.

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  13. hopefully spurs do hear , we do not want to turn into Newcastle , a team with overrated French players
    sign papdoplous and be done with it

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  14. Oh yeah I saw the links to Ljajic this morning just wasnt sure how credible they were. I havent seen much of him either the extent of my knowledge on him is that he is boss to play with on Fifa Ultimate team aha. But he's young had experience and seems to have a decent creative return so he might be a viable option.

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  15. The guy who owns Roma is a minority partner in FSG, so surely we have a shot at Erik Lamela?

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  16. With glen Johnson at right back , leaving tons of space a left footed defender could get seriously exposed

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  17. The Llajic rumours are made up. Created by SportsDirectNews, which just continually manufactures transfer 'rumours' (just like Caught Offside). In May, it had to publicly apologise for posting a made-up story about Wayne Rooney:

    http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/15/sports-direct-sorry-newcastle-wayne-rooney

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  18. I just can't see Lamela coming to us tbh. Spurs also seem interested in him and going off past deals we never seem to get the better of them in the market. I'd be extremely happy with signing Lamela but I honestly dont see that happening.

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  19. I want us to play arsernal way
    DAMIAO up front in girou position
    sturrridge on the right like walcot
    suarez on the left like podolski
    coutinho in carzola role
    if we need width we bring in sterling like arsernal play ox

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  20. I thought as much. They didnt seem to have any credibility to them.

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  21. 9 Days left. I wouldn't get your hopes up to much. It will be a CB(cheap) only, I reckon.

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  22. I think we need damiao , with sturridge and suarez either side and coutinho and gerrard in behind
    this would mean a ton of goals

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  23. But if ever we had an edge on Spurs, surely it's with Roma given the connection between the two? Clubs?I'll keep dreaming for another week :-)

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  24. Yeah I suppose so there is that connection which might make dealing with Roma easier but I dont see that being the problem to begin with. Lamela would probably like the prospect of playing for Spurs more than LFC currently. They also seem to be offering huge contracts so I find it hard to believe with can compete with out current transfer strategy. Of course I'd absolutely love to see someone like Lamela at our club and like you I'll also be dreaming until the window closes. My head just tells me that we dont have a realistic chance of pulling this one off.

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  25. Yeah I agree. I think we will see a CB at the very least. I hope so anyway but I'm not super hopeful about a new attacking wide player. If we can pull something out of the hat though that'd be awesome.

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  26. You could say the same about Enrique and a right footed CB Next to him... That's just nonsense IMO.

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  27. I've got a good feeling about this player. I we can get him, he'll be a major success, I reckon.

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  28. Yes you are right its the quality and strengths and weaknesses of defenders that should always be the issue mind you wouldnt take 2 lefties to the dance.

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  29. coz a club never did well signing. french player's did they. and also didn't Papadopoulos get injured again sahko or the Ajax bloke I want.

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  30. Sakho, Papa or Toby, we need one, so why the delay? We also need a defensive midfielder, a winger and a striker, top quality. Know it will never happen though, unless they will work for minimum wage.

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  31. get him....hes good ,young n reasonable price...... YNWA

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  32. I think you have forgotten the fact that this young lad has a very mature and experienced head on those young shoulders........... he has been there captain for the last couple of years and no club, especially one of PSG's stature would give a position of that importance to such a young guy if he wasn't up to the job and respected by the rest of the team!!!!!!! Big, strong, fast and tested at European level, he would be a quality signing plus he is a proven leader and we need more of those influential players at the club!!!!

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  33. cant see this deal happening for two reasons ....1) i think we will be out maneuvered in regards fee/wages 2) the kid is looking for a more or less guaranteed place and i cant see him moving agger or kolo....why would he go from 3rd choice at one club to 3rd choice at another...or even 4th choice depending on your view of skirtel

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  34. like we do anyway

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  35. you may as well add a stadium to your list m8

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  36. you mean get beat 3 1 at home to villa

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  37. Tiago llori is a better player!!!

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  38. Was going to say the exact same thing.
    Why does nobody say that about, say Terry and Cahill ? or Bould and Adams?

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  39. This guy wins around 75-80% of his aerial duels, more than even Skrtyl or Vidic. Just what we need. Passing stats are also very good. Comfortable on the ball and with decent pace.
    Get him. Then Papa in Jan

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  40. Sidetrack a little, it a perfect illustration about what goes around comes 'around. Chelsea apparently just stole Willian under Tottenham's nose (read in soccernet). But I quite confused about such a player, didn't he just completed his medical at Spurs? Is the player that fickle-minded about where he wanted to go or his agent wanted him to go to a CL-bound club? Of course I feel sad in the process of this transfer saga, LFC<Spurs<Chelsea. That is how we were rated by a not-that-regular Brazilian International that ply his trade in Russia. Anyway, my stand is firm and clear, getting a 30 mil pounds foreign player this late in the window is always a big risk. Though I can't really say we dodge a potentially gigantic bullet or lose out on a potentially world great player.

    Also I'm very 'impressed' by the financial capacity of Real Madrid, a club in a debt-ridden country that can outspend the rich, oil&gas backed, Arabs and Russians. Of course I understand that they are supposedly the richest club in the world with a 515 mil EUR annual turnover in 2011-12 with an ability to reduce their debt from 250M to 170M to 125M within 2 years. Anyway, these are rough figures I got from the net and please correct me if I'm wrong. Personally, I don't understand the finances of Real Madrid and how they manage to spend that crazy amount of money and constantly reducing their debt level. More importantly, what the hell makes them think it's fine to spend 80-90 mil pounds on 1 player and put him on a 10 mil EUR, after-tax salary (Willian at 30 mil pounds is cheaply priced at only a third of it)? I think a lot of people will consider it good to earn 1000 EUR after tax weekly, probably. Should I say I have that undesired archaic mentality as I begin to miss the more down-to-earth English Div 1 and European football in the late 80s and early 90s.

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  41. this guy is good... Get him i a rite prise..

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  42. thanks a ton bro

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  43. Real are 500m euros in debt. They owe money to banks and the tax man. But because of their earning power, they can handle debt far better than most other Spanish clubs.

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  44. Yup, you are right then. I read something like Real Madrid are in huge debt (590M EUR) but I could not find something more in-depth. Yes, rules might change to set financial restrictions in the near future but they are still the one breaking transfer record as far as the present is concerned.

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  45. FFP have already closed the State Aid loophole earlier this year or supposedly have.



    The tax benefits that Real and a few Spanish clubs get could be perceived as 'state aid' (and so too the dealings between Govt and Real in relation to land), which is what the European Commission is looking into as 'state aid' isn't allowed most of the time. Already taken a long time the investigation and when the end is, who knows. I wonder what kind of punishment would be given if Real were found to be in breach.



    Its not surprising they are the ones breaking the records as they earn a lot of money. They have huge commercial power but also them and Barca get a bulk of the TV money in Spain, which imo, they shouldn't do.

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  46. For the alleged transfer fee, definitely worth taking a risk on.


    Unless Alex has fallen even lower, I'd say Sakho was fourth choice now.

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  47. Yes, read that TV deal for Real Madrid and Barcelona is ridiculous high compared to the rest of the league. Even Atletico Madrid is only a third of theirs and some teams are only a tenth. This is hugely unfair to teams in La Liga and the rest of Europe as well. Just hope someone can do justice by fixing it soon.



    Anyway, thanks for the link. I only visited the Swiss Ramble site for financial information of LFC and missed out on the article talking about the debt of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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  48. Haha because Willian was tempted by money and not the (currently) bigger club, the opportunity to play in the Champions League and to ultimately be successful!

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  49. Try this one the club mouthpiece the Liverpool ECHO said away back in late June, early July that while Rodgers was keen to add at least one more centre back it wouldn't be Sakho. Now who do I believe? Try and guess another name he ain't coming

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  50. I still prefer Thiago Llori quite honestly.

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  51. yea they always say they have "sources close to the club" blatant lies, every story they produce.

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  52. Ok first of the greed was from Anzhi they moved the post. And hey it's business they going broke they want as much as they can. Personally I think these players are using LFC to get other teams with Europe League to come get them. I.E HM and Willian.

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  53. I'm for whichever player, Sakho or Llori, is the better defender on set pieces.

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  54. plus if you have forgotten Suarez is banned :)

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  55. I have no idea what the h&ll we are waiting for! Sakho has been there for weeks and weeks! Either elevate Kelly or sign Sakho. BTW, if Skrtel is heading to Zenit sign Sakho, adding him to Kelly, Wisdom, Toure, Agger,. Nice group.......Btw, team played well again today but scoring is still an issue except for Sturridge. Aspas seems to do good things but no one is showing inclination or resolve to finish except Danny boy right now....
    All in all though decent game today against a squad on the rise right now in Villa.

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  56. Willian never rejected us for a higher salary, Spurs just out-bid us and we were not prepared to match that bid. I would take Sakho in a heartbeat,top defender but as usual we will dilly dally around and he will be snapped up by another team.Apparently Brendan set up a scouting team and all sorts but can't see the evidence of it. FSG were supposed to back him but judging by his pre-match interview they haven't. Rodgers needs support but also needs to target the right players. Need some real quality at the upper end of the field and also a defender.

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  57. So we have 3 great CB's who are believed to be wanting a move for LFC [refreshing].


    I really hope FSG don't somehow miraculously manage to screw up this one. really hope so.


    I myself would have to say Papadopoulos is the Liverpool player who doesn't play in Liverpool out of which, and would actually like to see us sign Llory AS WELL ; later, maybe in Jan, drop Skretel, or Coates after he recovers [assuming the wage is the bigger problem].

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  58. Greed didn't get in the way with Willian FSG WOULDN'T stump up the extra 2-3 million required to sign a top draw world class player as alluded to by Rodgers himself

    I wouldn't get too excited we will probably do all te running for Spurs again who have a top class negotiator in Levy and don't send scouts to talk to players as is the case with LFC re Willian ....

    As long as we have FSG & Ayre we will remain outside top 4, Ayre is inept and completely out of his depth at this level and FSG are part time owners who are dabbling with the club.

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  59. Greed is being a little harsh to be honest. Willian would have been great signing for us as it addresses an obvious problem spot with downing leaving but if a club enters the fray offering a chance to play in the champs league and competing for all trophies year after year with the financial clout to boot then you can't blame him.

    It pains me to see players now preferring spurs to us. Wow what a turnaround. BR is doing a good job so far if he can find another coutinho for that left side then that's the way to go. Unfortunately we don't have that pull of yesteryear until ofcourse we get back into the top 4.

    Big test next week Sunday. Come on you reds!

    YNWA

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  60. Agger is always one tackle away from an injury layoff so we need cover for him. Every time he falls over I'm worried he won't get back up.

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  61. Willian wasn't worth it anyway.. Wayy better and younger options in the likes of yarmolenko, konoplyanka, ljajic, tello(on loan), and maybe, just maybe a £20/25 million bid for pedro. He's dropped even further down the pecking order with the signing of neymar.

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  62. Two names. Carragher and Hypia
    Seemed to cope ok

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  63. Agreed. You could tell by Rodgers tone after missing out on Willian. He is being forced to publicly pressure FSG to spend and if we don't make top four, you can bet your bottom dollar he will reference the lack of transfer activity as a reason. It's a good reason. But the market is crazy and at the very top tier, players that would improve Pool's first team squad, bargains are few and far between. Can't really blame FSG after the Comolli/Dalglish disaster. I can't believe that guy still pops up with football advice. He should go hide in a cave somewhere. Maybe we will go for one of Chelsea's hord of attacking mids on the cheap. Bound to offload one, maybe Moses. We get good value with that rich russian gangster.

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  64. Or maybe another Chelsea outcast

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  65. Sakho looks an awesome prospect. 6'2 of speed, size, aggression and leadership. Hope we get him. Not so sure we'll get our winger now. You could tell by Rodgers tone after missing out on Willian. He is being forced to publicly pressure FSG to spend and if we don't make top four, you can bet your bottom dollar he will reference the lack of a marquee signing as a reason. It's a good reason. We should be going all out this year to make it. If Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge carry us to fifth or sixth again, no certainty they will stick around next window. But the market is crazy and at the very top tier, players that would improve Pool's first team squad, bargains are few and far between. Can't really blame FSG after the Comolli/Dalglish disaster. I can't believe that guy still pops up with football advice. He should go hide in a cave somewhere. Maybe we will go for one of Chelsea's hord of attacking mids on the cheap. Bound to offload one, maybe Moses. We get good value with that rich russian gangster. Just hope FSG don't make an ass of Rodgers by failing to reinforce the first team after early assurances.

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  66. How did Willian reject the club for a bigger salary? Surely, Anzhi accepted the higher bid and he went to the club he was sold to?

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  67. 100% agree and i've been harping on this transfer since last year. Problem is, now its become public, I think there's just too many other team out there that will be able to offer him CL football. Arsenal, AC Milan, City and Barca are just the few that I've heard now looking at him. This is just another example of a player who wants to come to us but because we don't act quickly and decisively we are probably going to loose him to someone else. If we keep this up we'll have lost more targets this window than we've actually successfully pursued!

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