Advanced talks show Liverpool beating Roma to star defender

The fact that Mamadou Sakho failed to even make the Paris Saint-Germain bench for their recent domestic clash with Nantes would have done nothing more than reaffirm to the defender that he has no future at the club.

Interest has been rife for the 23-year-old, who is in the final year of his PSG contract, with two of Italy’s best in AC Milan and Roma believed to be heading the chase, with the latter thought to be interested in a loan deal.

However, it is Liverpool that are said to have emerged as the latest front-runners and are in advanced talks with the defender.

Liverpool have certainly run into their fair share of defensive issues, with Kolo Toure expected to be out for a month with a groin problem.

Sebastian Coates has already undergone knee surgery that could sideline him for the majority of the season, while Martin Skrtel has missed a few weeks after pulling ligaments in his left knee.

The big area where Sakho would improve Liverpool would be in an aerial sense, as he won far more aerial duels with opponents last season than any Liverpool defender and almost double the number of Toure.

Meanwhile, he is also more than adept in possession and was especially safe in completing forward passes.

The only real concern is that Daniel Agger is undoubtedly Brendan Rodgers’ first-choice central defender and the manager may be reluctant to pair two left-footers together.

Alternative options include Tiago Ilori from Sporting Lisbon and there is some speculation that a fee in the region of £5m has already been agreed, while links with Toby Alderweireld from Ajax have not completely simmered down.

Liverpool’s perfect start from their opening two Premier League fixtures has seen them cut to 8/5 to finish in the top four this season.

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