Christian Benteke is still hoping that Mamadou Sakho will leave Liverpool and follow in his footsteps by signing for Crystal Palace.
The Belgian international played alongside the Reds centre-back when he was at Anfield and also during the second part of last season when Sakho signed for The Eagles on loan in January.
Liverpool’s former number number left Merseyside last summer in a £30m move after he found himself out of Jürgen Klopp’s plans after a tough campaign in a red shirt.
Problems with Klopp, including being sent home from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the USA last summer, has led to Sakho finding himself in a similar position and he is expected to move away from Anfield in this transfer window.
Sakho enjoyed a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace and his impact led him to being one of the nominees for the club’s Player of the Season Award despite only playing eight games.
Palace were expected to pursue a deal for the player this summer but Sam Allardyce's departure and chairman Steve Parish’s recent comments cast doubt on the move suggesting Liverpool’s £30m asking price was too high.
Benteke wants reunion
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Benteke admitted he would like to see Sakho make a move to London a permanent one.
He said: “I tried to convince him to stay. But at the end of the day, it's up to him. He knows what he needs and what he wants to do.
“Obviously it won't be easy because of the demand, but we'll see. Hopefully he's going to stay.”
Sakho spent the first part of last season playing with Liverpool’s u23's and Klopp is now looking to move the player on this summer.
Meanwhile, The Reds are still hopeful of bringing in Southampton centre half Virgil Van Dijk to strengthen their backline ahead of next season.