---
title: "West Ham want Mamadou Sakho on loan"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/04/west-ham-want-mamadou-sakho-on-loan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2021-01-04T10:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-04T10:30:00Z"
---

# West Ham want Mamadou Sakho on loan

West Ham could go head-to-head with fellow Premier League side [West Brom](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/01/04/report-west-ham-battling-west-brom-for-mamadou-sakho/) to sign Mamadou Sakho on an initial loan basis this month.

According to [The Sun on Sunday (January 3rd, page 57)](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/) \[via [The Boot Room](https://tbrfootball.com/report-west-brom-eye-mamadou-sakho-talks-west-ham-also-keen/)\], the Hammers are keen on bolstering their defensive options – and have identified the 30-year-old as a viable option.

The [left-sided](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/04/26/three-left-sided-defenders-liverpool-could-turn-to-if-mamadou-sa/) central defender has featured [just four times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mamadou-sakho/profil/spieler/47713) for fellow London club Crystal Palace this season and has struggled to break into a squad which is [well-stocked](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/6/Crystal-Palace/squad) with experienced options in the heart of defence.

The former Liverpool defender is a rare left-sided defender in Palace’s squad – a factor which offers unique [ball-playing advantages](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1965610-analysing-the-importance-of-a-left-foot-right-balance-in-central-defence) in a key feature of some Premier League systems, such as that of Manchester City.

However, it has previously been reported that Sakho would [prefer to move back to France](https://thisisfutbol.com/2020/06/blogs/premier-league/crystal-palace-mamadou-sakho-wants-return-to-france/) as he enters the latter stages of his career, with a Ligue 1 move remaining strong in Sakho’s thinking.

### Read West Ham Verdict

Sakho’s left-sided attributes and [experience](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mamadou-sakho/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/47713) makes the 30-year-old a worthy option. His contract situation (current deal [expires in July](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mamadou-sakho/profil/spieler/47713)) certainly opens the door for a cheaper permanent move, whilst West Ham’s London location would spare Sakho and his family the need to relocate from the capital.

However, is the centre-back role in need of strengthening at West Ham? The Irons boast Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Fabian Balbuena as [experienced options](https://www.whufc.com/teams/first-team/squad), so it may be best to allocate funds elsewhere in the winter window.