Liverpool have turned down Southampton’s opening offer for Mamadou Sakho.
Sakho is eyeing the Anfield exit this month after being rendered surplus to requirement by Jurgen Klopp following a series of high-profile misdemeanours.
They included the defender being sent home from the Reds’ pre-season tour of America and launching an early-morning Snapchat tirade at the club in September.
Southampton had identified Sakho as their preferred successor to Jose Fonte, who is set to leave St Mary’s after he refused to sign a new contract.
But Liverpool have rejected the Saints’ request for the France international to spend the rest of this season on loan with the South Coast club.
Anfield chiefs are unwilling to compromise their plans to secure Sakho’s permanent exit, rather than on loan, before the January 31 transfer deadline.
They are understood to be confident of recouping close to the 26-year-old’s original £18 million outlay in 2013 from any prospective sale of the player.
Several clubs are also keen to sign the outcast centre-back including Sevilla, Swansea City and Galatasaray.
Klopp banished Sakho to Liverpool’s under 23 set-up in October as part of his continued first-team exile, which began following his US tour departure.