Lyon Identify Crystal Palace's Mamadou Sakho as Priority Summer Signing
By Jake Purvis
Lyon have identified Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho as their number one priority this summer, and are hopeful of striking a deal worth €10m.
The 30-year-old moved to Selhurst Park in the summer of 2017, joining the Eagles after falling out of favour under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Sakho is a popular figure in south London, but Lyon are known to have been admirers for sometime - and are keen to make him the first notable signing of the summer.
L'Equipe report that Lyon have been working behind closed doors for the last fortnight to try and get the ex-Liverpool man back to France, though they are wary of being able to match his hefty wage demands.
Talks are thought to be 'advanced' between the two parties, but Lyon head coach Rudi Garcia has also instructed talks to begin with Hellas Verona's Marash Kumbulla and Spartak Moscow's Samuel Gigot, just in case.
Sakho is the lead candidate among a sizeable shortlist of possible transfer targets, identified when Lyon's management sat down with their recruitment team in May to discuss options.
It's thought Joachim Andersen's below-par performances have pushed the club towards pursuing Sakho, with his consistent top level experience exactly what Lyon are after as they look to haul themselves back into content for European qualification next season.
However, the deal has been questioned internally - with many people wondering if it is financially responsible. Garcia's solution to that problem has been to agree departures for Marcelo, Bertrand Traoré, Rafael or Kenny Tete, freeing up much needed funds.
With only 12 months left on Sakho's contract, Lyon value the Frenchman around €10m. As yet, there is no indication whether leaving Crystal Palace is of any interest to the former Paris Saint-Germain star, but it's likely that his contract in the capital will only be renewed on reduced terms.