West Brom set sights on PL centre-back with 29 caps for France – Steve Madeley
West Brom boss Sam Allardyce is interested in adding Crystal Palace centre back Mamadou Sakho in January but a deal for the French defender could be difficult to reach, according to The Athletic.
After Tuesday’s 5-0 Hawthorns thrashing by Leeds United, West Brom now have the outright worst defensive record in the Premier League, with 35 goals conceded in 16 games.
Lining up at the base of the Albion defence was Semi Ajayi and Dara O’Shea, both in their maiden Premier League season.
As such, Allardyce is reportedly after a new centre back to add more Premier League experience to his backline, and he would like to make a move for Sakho, per The Athletic.
In his West Brom article, Steve Madeley says, “Sakho did well for Allardyce at Selhurst Park, where he is now out of favour due to a clash with Palace manager Roy Hodgson, but they have no reason to help out a potential relegation rival unless a transfer is in their interests.
“A sizable loan fee would be required, plus a commitment to pick up most of the centre-back’s six-figure weekly wage and possibly the prospect of a permanent transfer fee should Albion stay up.”
Sakho has only made five appearances for Crystal Palace this season, including three Premier League starts. He hasn’t played for the Eagles since October 24, when he made a brief substitute cameo against Fulham.
As Madeley alluded to, Sakho is way down the pecking order at Selhurst Park, as midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has been preferred to start in defence alongside either Gary Cahill, James Tomkins or Scott Dann, who are more orthodox centre-backs.
A move for 29-times France international Sakho would indicate Allardyce does not place much faith in Branislav Ivanovic as a credible option to start Premier League games.
Ivanovic has appeared in all three of Allardyce’s games as Baggies boss, but he has not started in any of them.
With 271 Premier League appearances in his career, Ivanovic has the Premier League experience, but the 36-year-old is way past the peak of his powers, as his struggles earlier in the season suggest.
Therefore, a potential January transfer for Sakho appears to be a shrewd move if he can keep himself fit.
Across seven and a half seasons in the Premier League, which includes a spell at Liverpool, Sakho has only reached 20 appearances in two seasons, a worrying statistic given Albion’s desire for players to come in and make a significant impact for the remaining 22 games.
However, Allardyce might feel he has to take some risks as he bids to bring the Baggies to safety, and a move for Sakho might be one worth taking if a deal can be agreed with Palace.
In other West Brom news, Allardyce gives injury update on key defender after Leeds withdrawal.
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