Stoke City 'want Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho on loan'

Stoke City have reportedly set their sights on signing Mamadou Sakho on loan from Liverpool for the 2016-17 season.

Sakho was a first-team regular under Jurgen Klopp last season, but has since lost his place in the side following a tumultuous four-month spell.

The France international was banned in April after failing a drugs test, resulting in him missing the Europa League final and Euro 2016 before eventually being cleared by UEFA.

However, the 26-year-old was then sent home from Liverpool's pre-season tour for disciplinary reasons, and has so far been unable to work his way back into Klopp's plans.

Reports earlier this week suggested that Klopp was willing to let Sakho go out on loan in order to build up his fitness after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and the Liverpool Echo claims that Stoke would be interested in a similar deal.

The Potters are in the market for a central defender, having also been linked with Manchester United's Phil Jones in recent days.