Liverpool Transfer News: Jurgen Klopp Drops Mamadou Sakho Hint, Latest Rumours

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dropped yet another hint out-of-favour defender Mamadou Sakho will be sold during the January transfer window, while Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly planning a bid of their own for Borussia Dortmund starlet Christian Pulisic.

In a recent interview, Klopp ruled out the possibility of selling any first-team players, amid rumours Daniel Sturridge could be on his way out of the club. Some took that as a sign Sakho would also stick around, but the Reds boss made it clear the Frenchman is not a part of his first-team squad, per TalkSport:

"

Now you know, I said it: he is not in these plans for the first team. The first-team squad is here [at the training ground].

Do you really think I would have said Sakho will not be sold in winter? Nothing changed. Once again this actual first-team squad is in this dressing room, from this point of view nobody will be sold.

"

Per the report, Sakho has been training with the reserve team and playing in the Premier League 2 since September. The former PSG star was sent home from the pre-season tour and spoke out about his treatment via social media, and he hasn't featured for Klopp since.

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo believes the blame rests entirely with Sakho:

The 26-year-old was something of a cult hero at Anfield for years and remains one of the team's most talented defenders. Too many incidents off the pitch doomed his chances of becoming a Liverpool legend, however.

The most infamous of these incidents came back in 2014, when he left the stadium before a match against rivals Everton after he found out he wouldn't be in the team. Per MailOnline's Ben Nagle, he later apologised.

But despite those incidents, he remained hugely popular with the fans, and combined with his tremendous talent, many questioned the decision to freeze him out. Liverpool writer Joel Rabinowitz was one of those critics:

The defence has performed admirably without Sakho in the 2016-17 season, led by summer arrival Joel Matip, who has been the solid, calming force the side so desperately needed.

There will likely be plenty of suitors for Sakho, with clubs believing all he needs is a change of environment, and a move back to France in January seems highly likely.

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One player who is unlikely to leave his club in January is Pulisic, but that isn't stopping the rumour mill from spinning. According to German outlet Bild (h/t Liverpool Echo's Kristian Walsh), PSG are planning a move for the American, who has been linked with the Reds on an almost daily basis for months now.

Per the report, Les Parisiens are ready to bid big for the teenager, who is in the middle of a breakout season at Signal Iduna Park. BVB maintain there is no chance the youngster is leaving the club, however.

Reacting to the latest round of rumours, suggesting Liverpool are preparing an offer, sporting director Michael Zorc told Bild (h/t Fox Sports' Ryan Rosenblatt): "It's not worth the effort for Liverpool.”

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Summer rumours surrounding the 18-year-old made some sense, as it was unclear whether Pulisic would see much playing time this season. Manager Thomas Tuchel has made frequent use of the American, however, validating his decision to stay in Germany.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Should PSG get involved in the race to land Pulisic, it would be bad news for Liverpool. Not only do Les Parisiens have the kind of financial power to blow the Reds out of the water in a bidding war, but the Ligue 1 giants also have a phenomenal reputation in terms of talent development.

The lure of working under Klopp would work in Liverpool's favour, as would the language barrier―Pulisic already had to learn a foreign language when he went to Dortmund. PSG would likely be the favourites to land him should a transfer become a possibility, but an extended stay with BVB still seems the most likely outcome.