Liverpool's Pursuit of Ismaïla Sarr Hits a Wall
Liverpool’s hunt for a successor to Mohamed Salah has hit another wall, with Crystal Palace turning away an approach for Ismaïla Sarr as the transfer window ticks towards its close.
Reports claimed the Reds had put forward a bid worth €58.4 million for the Palace winger, with Fabrizio Romano stating an offer had gone in. The Athletic painted a different picture, indicating no formal bid landed at Selhurst Park. What is clear is that Liverpool made contact over Sarr’s availability – and received a firm response: he is not for sale.
Palace hold their ground
Crystal Palace’s stance is nothing new. Galatasaray have already seen two offers rejected for Sarr earlier in the summer, and the Turkish club are not expected to test Palace’s resolve again with an improved bid.
Sarr’s value to Andoni Iraola’s side is obvious. At 28, he is seasoned at Premier League level, with 116 top-flight appearances behind him, and he played a starring role as Palace claimed the Europa Conference League title. His 21 goals in that campaign underlined why bigger clubs were always likely to circle once the window opened.
Palace, though, are standing firm. For now, Sarr stays.
Liverpool’s right‑wing puzzle
The refusal comes at a complicated moment for Liverpool’s recruitment team. The club have been scouring the market for a right‑sided forward capable of easing, and eventually absorbing, the enormous burden carried for so long by Salah.
They pushed for Yankuba Minteh but walked away when Brighton’s demands soared. The Seagulls are understood to have been seeking around €90m, a figure that cooled Liverpool’s interest and forced a rethink. Attention then swung towards Sarr, only for Palace to shut the door.
Liverpool have also held extensive discussions over PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye, another name on a growing list of right‑wing options explored this summer, as the club try to balance price, profile and availability in a market that has become increasingly hostile for buyers.
Barcola talks add another layer
While the right flank remains the priority, Liverpool’s recruitment drive is not limited to that side of the pitch. The club are also in talks to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG, with the French international favouring a role on the left.
It leaves Liverpool juggling multiple targets, different profiles and competing needs across the front line, all while the clock winds down on the window and selling clubs dig in.
They know Salah will not be there forever. The question now is whether they can prise loose the right heir in time – or whether the market, and clubs like Crystal Palace, will force them to wait.
