Mamadou Sakho has turned down the chance to rebuild his Liverpool career with a loan move to Stoke City.
It was hoped that a spell away would have allowed the France international to return in a stronger position to fight for a place in the Reds’ defensive ranks.
Sakho is recovering from a difficult few months in which he tested positive in a UEFA drugs testing before being subsequently cleared early in July.
That was followed by an Achilles problem curtailing the 26-year-old’s start to the season while he was banished from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of America.
According to the Daily Mirror, Sakho has rejected the offer of a short-term stay with the Potters despite strong interest from manager Mark Hughes.
Stoke are now planning to turn their attention to landing out-of-favour Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones before Wednesday’s transfer deadline.