Crystal Palace close to agreement for Mamadou Sakho but West Brom could hijack deal

Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Mamadou Sakho is set to go down to the final hours of the transfer window.

Palace were thought to be close to an agreement with Liverpool for the central defender, but West Brom could attempt to hijack the deal if Jonny Evans is sold.

Liverpool want £30million for Sakho and would be willing to accept an offer of £25m up front, plus £5m in add-ons.

Sakho wants to return to Palace, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell last season, but the interest from West Brom complicates matters, with Tony Pulis looking to push ahead with a move for the 27-year-old if they sell Evans.

Palace this morning had a bid of £20m accepted by Manchester City for Eliaquim Mangala, but any deal to sign the France defender would need the 26-year-old to be keen on a move to Selhurst Park — and the preference for Palace remains a deal for Sakho.

Liverpool have been unwilling to lower their valuation of Sakho, so any potential deal is set to go down to the wire. If West Brom sell Evans — Leicester and Manchester City are reportedly interested — they would have funds available to bid closer to the £30m Liverpool want for France defender Sakho.

Palace manager Frank de Boer is desperate to sign a defender as he looks to turn things around after a disastrous start to the season and Sakho is said to be keen on a permanent move to the capital.

Palace’s search for a goalkeeper also looks set to enter the final hours of the window.

The Eagles have been interested in Tottenham’s Michel Vorm and PSV Eindhoven’s Jeroen Zoet and had a loan bid rejected for Atletico Madrid back-up Miguel Angel Moya.

Andros Townsend could leave Palace before the 11pm deadline, with Leicester interested in signing the winger if Riyad Mahrez departs.

De Boer also wants to sign another striker and reports in Turkey suggest Palace have had a £12.5m bid accepted for Besiktas’s Cenk Tosun, who scored 24 goals last season.

Palace have failed to score in the Premier League this season and their business on deadline day will be crucial after three defeats from their first three matches.