Mamadou Sakho’s hopes of leaving Liverpool have been dealt a fresh blow by Sam Allardyce.
Sakho joined Crystal Palace on loan in the January transfer window after spending the first half of this season confined to the wilderness at Anfield.
The France international was banished from the first-team fold by Jurgen Klopp following repeated disciplinary breaches on the Reds’ pre-season tour of America.
Since switching to the Eagles, Sakho has seen his career reborn as part of the London club’s continuing battle to retain their Premier League status.
But Palace boss Allardyce concedes that plans to secure the 27-year-old’s services on a permanent basis from Liverpool are likely to prove difficult this summer.
He said: “It would be a big negotiation at the end of the season if we were to stay in the Premier League.
“At this moment in time, Mama has chosen Crystal Palace to play first-team football, I think he has settled into the environment exceptionally well.
“He has worked extremely hard at getting himself fitter because he had not played a competitive game all season.
“He has shown what a good defender he is and his capabilities on the ball. In possession he has been exceptionally good.”