Liverpool have opened discussions with Crystal Palace about the possible acquisition of their 28‑year‑old winger, Ismaila Sarr. The Reds, managed by Andoni Iraola, are actively reviewing their options after negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh stalled, and Sarr has emerged as one of several candidates being examined to add pace and creativity to Liverpool's wide areas.
At present, Palace are firm in their stance that Sarr is not for sale. The club has made it clear that the French‑Algerian international remains under contract for another three seasons and they have no intention of parting with him at this stage.
The Anfield side will therefore need to present a compelling case, both financially and in terms of the player's role, if they hope to persuade the Selhurst Park hierarchy to reconsider. Sarr missed Palace's opening‑day defeat to Everton, a match that saw the team fall short at Goodison Park. Initial reports suggested the winger was refusing to train, but those rumors have been largely dispelled. It now appears that Sarr is dealing with a minor injury, which has kept him out of the squad temporarily.
The injury, combined with the ongoing contract situation, has added a layer of complexity to any potential transfer. When asked about the winger's future during his pre‑match press conference on Wednesday, Palace manager Pierre Sage offered a measured response. "I understand that for everybody, having this kind of contact is difficult because you hesitate a lot, but for the moment he is with us," Sage said.
He continued, "He is under contract, he is injured, and maybe you can link his injury and the situation." Sage went on to emphasize his personal relationship with the player, noting that Sarr is an honest professional. "I spoke with him this morning about that. Yesterday about that too, and we just want him on the pitch, and all the rest for the other people," the manager added, underscoring that the club's priority is to see Sarr back to full fitness and contributing on the field. Liverpool's interest in Sarr is part of a broader strategy to reinforce their flanks.
While the Reds have identified PSG's Bradley Barcola as a primary target, they are not ruling out the possibility of signing more than one winger this summer. The club is also monitoring Cody Gakpo, who has attracted attention from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Liverpool have indicated that they would be reluctant to sell the Dutch forward unless they secure two suitable replacements, which would likely include a player of Sarr's profile. The situation with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh remains unresolved.
Brighton have set a valuation of around £80 million for the young talent and have turned down two offers from Liverpool. The most recent bid from the Anfield side was reportedly in the region of £60 million, a figure that Brighton consider insufficient. Adding to the difficulty, Minteh is currently nursing an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until October, further reducing Liverpool's incentive to meet the Premier League club's asking price. In summary, Liverpool are juggling several transfer narratives as they look to rebuild after a season that fell short of expectations.
The club's pursuit of Ismaila Sarr reflects a desire to inject speed, technical ability, and goal‑scoring threat from the wings. However, any deal will have to navigate Palace's firm contract position, Sarr's short‑term injury, and Liverpool's own budgetary constraints, especially in light of the ongoing talks over Minteh. Should Liverpool succeed in securing Sarr, they would add a player who has demonstrated his capacity to beat defenders with his acceleration, deliver precise crosses, and cut inside to create scoring opportunities.
His experience in the Premier League, having joined Palace in 2022, would also ease his adaptation to the demands of Anfield. Conversely, if Palace hold firm, Liverpool may need to look elsewhere, perhaps intensifying their pursuit of Barcola or exploring other emerging talents across Europe.
The transfer window remains open, and fans of both clubs will be watching closely as negotiations develop. Liverpool's next move could shape the composition of their attacking unit for the upcoming campaign, while Palace will aim to retain a key asset who can still contribute significantly once he recovers from his current setback.