Swansea City have entered the race to sign Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho.

The Premier League strugglers have registered their interest in the France international, who will leave Anfield during the January window in a bid to relaunch his career.

New boss Paul Clement wants Sakho on board to help spearhead their push for survival.

The 26-year-old centre-back is weighing up his options with the Reds holding out for a permanent deal worth around £20million.

Sevilla and Galatasaray are also among his suitors. Southampton have been heavily linked with a move for Sakho but have yet to make official contact with Liverpool.

Saints, who entertain Jurgen Klopp's men in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, are desperate for a centre-back after Jose Fonte slammed in a transfer request and was dropped from the first-team squad.

Much will depend on Sakho's favoured destination. Liverpool are not currently entertaining loan offers as they believe a permanent transfer is in everyone's best interests.

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He hasn't played for the Reds since last April and his relationship with Klopp has broken down since he was sent home from the pre-season tour of America in disgrace.

Whether Liverpool can secure their asking price remains to be seen but they believe that £20million figure is realistic and takes into account that he hasn't played first-team football for nine months.

The Reds fielded offers in that region last summer when Sakho, who is under contract until 2020, insisted on staying put.

Having spent the first half of this season playing for Liverpool Under-23s, Sakho has now accepted that he has no chance of salvaging his Anfield career.