Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has said that it was Mamadou Sakho's decision to leave the Parc des Princes.

The 23-year-old is poised to sign for Liverpool in a deal worth £19.6m, although the former French national coach wanted to keep the 6'2" centre-back.

"Sakho is not just anybody at PSG," Sky Sports News quotes the 47-year-old as saying. "He has been here, he has lived everything here, he was the symbol of the club.

"I would really have liked to continue working with him but he's signalled his desire to leave the club. The board and himself have found a solution. I wish him good luck."

Sakho has won 14 caps for France.