Liverpool transfer news: Roma join Crystal Palace in race to land Kop defender Mamadou Sakho
Serie A giants to rival Premier League side for out-of-favour Reds defender
ROMA are set to rival Crystal Palace to sign out-of-favour Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho this summer.
The Serie A side want the French international defender as a replacement for Kostas Manolas, who is expected to join either Inter Milan or Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.
Roma have contemplated a move for Sakho, 27, for the last two transfer windows.
But his form for Palace since joining the club on loan has led to them evaluating making another approach for the centre-half.
Sam Allardyce is desperate to sign Sakho permanently after his inspired displays have helped the Eagles soar away from the Premier League relegation zone.
Sakho has no future at Anfield after falling foul of manager Jurgen Klopp following his continuous breaches of the club’s rules.
And the Reds are determined to bring in a top quality defender to their squad to help with next year’s title challenge, which means they will be hoping to cash in on the for PSG man.
Southampton star Virgil van Dijk and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly are two of the names Klopp is attempting to bring in.
Saints boss Claude Puel tried to sign Sakho back in January on loan to replace the departed Jose Fonte, but the haggling over the £2million fee saw Palace steal a march and nip in to get his signature instead.
Due to the quickness of the deal, they did not agree a right-to-buy clause, and although they want him to remain at Selhurst Park, the growing competition makes it unlikely.