Crystal Palace have received a major blow in their pursuit of Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho.

Sakho has been frozen out by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and is likely to leave Anfield.

The Eagles want to bring the France international to Selhurst Park on a permanent deal after his successful loan spell last season.

But the Telegraph says Liverpool will use Sakho in a swap deal for Southampton star Virgil van Dijk.

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Reports emerged yesterday that Liverpool were ready to make Van Dijk the world’s most expensive defender.

And Sakho could go to Southampton as part of the deal. The Saints were interested in the former Paris Saint-Germain centre-back in January, but were put off by the Reds’ £30m asking price.