Liverpool Pursue Ismaila Sarr as Winger Target
Liverpool have made their move.
The Anfield club have lodged an opening bid for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr as they accelerate plans to reshape their attack before the transfer window closes next week.
Liverpool change lanes in winger hunt
A wide forward sits at the top of Andoni Iraola’s wishlist. Victor Munoz has already arrived from Osasuna, but with Mohamed Salah gone at the end of last season, Liverpool still lack a like-for-like threat on the right.
For weeks, Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh looked the preferred option. Liverpool tested the Seagulls’ resolve twice, including an offer in the region of £60 million for the 22‑year‑old. Brighton stood firm. Talks dragged, then stalled over the weekend, and the trail went cold.
The momentum has now swung decisively towards Sarr.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have parked their pursuit of Minteh and turned fully to the Crystal Palace winger. Discussions between the clubs are under way, with the Reds understood to have tabled a bid of around £50 million.
Crucially, they already have Sarr’s approval. The 26‑year‑old is said to be keen on the move and eager to join what would be a rebuilt Liverpool frontline.
Palace dig in over key man
That does not mean this will be straightforward.
Palace have already rejected two offers from Galatasaray for Sarr this summer and view him as a central figure in their plans. He is under contract at Selhurst Park until 2029, a long deal that leaves the Eagles under no immediate financial pressure to cash in.
On the pitch, his importance is clear. Sarr scored nine league goals in 28 appearances last season, including one against Liverpool in Palace’s early-season win over the Merseysiders. That performance only sharpened Anfield’s interest; it also underlined why Palace are reluctant to lose him.
Off the pitch, the picture is more delicate. Sarr is understood to be eager to leave before the window shuts, raising the familiar tension between a club’s valuation and a player’s ambition.
He missed Palace’s opening‑weekend defeat to Everton with what was described as a minor injury, a decision taken jointly by medical staff, player and coach. New manager Pierre Sage was adamant afterwards that he still sees Sarr as part of his plans.
“The doctor, the player and I took the decision before our training session yesterday to let him have treatment,” Sage said. “We don’t want him to leave, he is under contract with us for three years and he will be with us on Monday. That’s the most important information for me and for you.”
Standoff looming
So the stage is set.
Liverpool, armed with a £50m proposal and a willing player, are pushing for a deal. Palace, holding a long contract and a key attacker, are under no obligation to sell but must weigh that leverage against the risks of keeping an unsettled star.
With the deadline days away and both clubs needing clarity in their attacking plans, something will have to give.
