Crystal Palace to begin talks with Liverpool over Mamadou Sakho

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has confirmed the club will hold negotiations over the possible permanent signing of Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho.

Sakho, 27, signed for Palace on loan in January and impressed during his eight Premier League appearances as the club avoided relegation.

Palace are eager for the France international, who is currently recovering from a serious knee injury, to stay, although it is reported he could cost £30 million.

“The money needs to work for us and for Liverpool,” Parish told Holmesdale Radio.

“I’m sure there’ll be a negotiation on that. If we can make it work, of course we’d like to, I’m not going to try and be coy or clever on that. He’s a very good player and I think he likes being with us. We like him. Let’s hope we can do it.

“You cannot con anyone that he did not make a massive difference … It is one we would like to do.”

This month, Sakho was shortlisted for Palace’s Fans’ Player Of The Season award.