Christian Benteke trying to convince £30m Mamadou Sakho to stay at Crystal Palace

Palace bond: Benteke and Sakho share a good relationship off the pitch
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Giuseppe Muro22 May 2017

Christian Benteke is trying to persuade Mamadou Sakho to stay at Crystal Palace.

Benteke today revealed he has spoken to Sakho in a bid to get the France international to join on a permanent deal from Liverpool.

The pair are close friends and Benteke has told Sakho he can “achieve good things” at Palace.

Palace want to sign Sakho this summer but Liverpool will seek £30million for him and chairman Steve Parish says any deal must make financial sense for the club. Sakho made a huge impact at Palace after joining on loan on deadline day in January and Benteke says the defender is enjoying life in the capital.

Sakho is likely to attract interest from clubs across Europe and Benteke says the 27-year-old, who is currently recovering from a knee ligament injury, has not given him any indication about his future.

“I have spoken to him and have asked him to stay,” said Benteke. “It is a good team. Obviously with him we can achieve some good things. It is up to him and the chairman.

“I just said to stay. Because he is enjoying life in London. And also for his daughter, they can live in a nice city like London and it is not far from Paris. I know it is not going to be easy but anything can happen.”

Sakho was shortlisted for the Palace player of the season award despite making only eight appearances. His loan deal comes to an end after the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on the final day of the season yesterday.

In Pictures | Final day of 2016/17 Premier League season | 21/05/2017

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The result at Old Trafford means Palace finished in 14th place and Benteke says they should be targeting a top-half position under Sam Allardyce next season.

“The plan now is to move on and look forward,” he said. “Obviously the manager and the chairman know we need some new faces. We have to look forward to doing better next season.”

Benteke, a £27m signing from Liverpool last summer, finished with 15 Premier League goals, including ones against Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool and Hull to help keep Palace up.

He added: “I can be satisfied. I scored some important goals.”

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