{"id":552528,"date":"2020-05-30T02:58:58","date_gmt":"2020-05-30T06:58:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=552528"},"modified":"2020-05-30T02:58:58","modified_gmt":"2020-05-30T06:58:58","slug":"report-olympique-lyonnais-chasing-crystal-palace-defender-mamadou-sakho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/05\/30\/report-olympique-lyonnais-chasing-crystal-palace-defender-mamadou-sakho\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Olympique Lyonnais Chasing Crystal Palace Defender Mamadou Sakho"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to French news outlet L’Equipe<\/a>, Olympique Lyonnais<\/a> are negotiating a deal to land Crystal Palace<\/a> defender Mamadou Sakho<\/a>. The French club wants Sakho for ‘under \u20ac10 million’ but Palace are expecting the deal to go higher.<\/p>\n

The deal is in advanced stages according to French media and it could become the first major transfer deal of the summer in France.<\/p>\n

The reports have suggested that Lyon<\/a> have dealt the matter with ‘utmost secrecy’. This was probably done by the club so that the transfer leaks do not hinder in negotiating a good deal for either of the clubs.<\/p>\n

REPORT: Olympique Lyonnais Chasing Crystal Palace Defender Mamadou Sakho<\/h2>\n

Lyon Interested for a While<\/h3>\n

Lyon first registered an interest in Sakho two years ago in 2018. The French club, who competed in the Champions League<\/a> back then, wanted the defender for a cut-price of \u20ac13 million, according to The Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This was exactly half the price which Palace had paid for Sakho one year previous. The ex-Liverpool<\/a> man had joined the London club in the winter transfer window of the 2016-17 season.<\/p>\n

Now with the club coming back for the defender, the intentions from them seem very clear.<\/p>\n

How Will the Departure Affect Crystal Palace?<\/h3>\n

Crystal Palace have some ageing centre-back personnel at their disposal currently. Gary Cahill<\/a>, Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins<\/a> and Scott Dan<\/a> are all above 30-years-old.<\/p>\n

The decision to offload Sakho could really depend on whether the Premier League<\/a> club are looking to fast-track some youth defender from their academy or are expecting to sign a fairly young suitable candidate for the first team centre-back role.<\/p>\n

Sakho’s departure, if left unfilled by Palace, could leave a huge void in the squad.<\/p>\n

How Will Sakho fit at Lyon?<\/h3>\n

It does seem a little strange that Lyon are chasing the 30-year-old Frenchman. This is because the club has been focusing on developing their academy players and buying young players for the better half of the past decade.<\/p>\n

The French club have been searching for a centre-back to pair up with Belgian Jason Denayer<\/a>. Considering the skill-sets, and strengths and weaknesses of Denayer and Sakho, it will be a terrific partnership if the move pans out.<\/p>\n

The question though remains whether Lyon will be willing to pay more than \u20ac10 million for an influential but ‘way past his peak’ centre-back.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>