LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 22, 2015: Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho in action against Manchester United during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Rumour Mill: Bayer Leverkusen “willing to pay” €10 millon for Mamadou Sakho

Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly ready to pay €10 million to sign Mamadou Sakho, after seeing an initial enquiry for the Frenchman turned down by the Reds. 

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 22, 2015: Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho in action against Manchester United during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

According to French publication L’Equipe, the German outfit are deciding whether to test Liverpool’s resolve with a cash offer of around £7 million to sign the French international.

It is written that “Leverkusen have their sights still set on the French defender and would be willing to pay 10million euros” to take him the BayArena this summer.

The news comes after reports claimed the Champions League hopefuls saw an initial enquiry rejected, while the Liverpool Echo reported that Italian side Roma saw a loan move with a view to a permanent transfer rebuffed “without hesitation” last week.

“Sakho is not among the players Liverpool are actively looking to move on before the transfer window closes”, it’s claimed, despite the Frenchman’s current position within Brendan Rodgers’ squad having raised question marks over his long-term future at Anfield.

The France vice-captain currently finds himself behind Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren and seemingly Kolo Toure in the defensive pecking order, having not featured in any matchday 18 so far this season.

Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

And after the Reds kept clean sheets in the opening two fixtures of the new Premier League season, it’s difficult to see the 25-year-old receiving match minutes anytime soon, despite enjoying a strong campaign last season.

Rodgers’ defence have started the new season solidly but the fragility of first choice pairing Skrtel and Lovren, along with the lack of cover with Toure the only other established centre back at Anfield, makes any thought of selling Sakho a baffling move.

Liverpool would have to find an adequate replacement before sanctioning any exit from Anfield for the former PSG man, and Rodgers would be hard pushed to find someone of Sakho’s talent without having to part with significant funds.

Sakho is said to be happy on Merseyside, but with Euro 2016 looming in his home country, he could be tempted by a move away for first team football in order to cement his place in the France squad.

Meanwhile, ESPN FC report that “the Reds have no plans to do a deal”.