As the January window came to a close, Crystal Palace were desperately looking for a centre-back, and Anderlecht’s Kara Mbodj was top of their list, with a €12m bid reported as having been made on transfer deadline day.
DH on Friday report that Anderlecht have cleared the air with the defender, agreeing on a price at which he can be sold for come the end of the season, as long as he performs well in the upcoming playoffs that decide the Jupiler Pro League winner.
The club’s director of football cleared up the situation by saying: “They know that these games are extremely important for them (the players). We decided the amount received in winter wouldn’t be enough to sell. We’ve now clarified things for the end of the season.”
Holding out for €15m back in January, the fact Kara Mbodj has since signed a new deal with Anderlecht means his price tag might have increased since then, and Crystal Palace might have a big decision to make.
With Southampton also said to be keen on Mamadou Sakho for next season, the Eagles might end up having to wave the Liverpool defender goodbye, and focus on the Senegalese defender instead.
This, of course, all depends on whether Sam Allardyce manages to keep them above the relegation zone come the end of the season.
