Liverpool have opened discussions with Crystal Palace regarding a possible transfer for the 28‑year‑old winger Ismaila Sarr. The Anfield club, managed by Andoni Iraola, is actively reviewing its options after negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh reached an impasse.
Sarr has emerged as one of several candidates Liverpool are scouting to bolster their attacking options on the flanks. At present, Palace have made it clear that they are not prepared to part with Sarr. The club regards the French‑Algerian international as a key member of their squad and has indicated that he is not for sale. He is currently tied to a three‑year contract, which further complicates any potential move.
The situation surrounding Sarr has been somewhat turbulent. He missed Palace's opening‑season defeat at Everton, and early reports suggested he was refusing to train. However, those rumors have been largely dispelled, with insiders confirming that the winger is dealing with an injury that has kept him sidelined.
This injury, coupled with his contractual status, has given Palace a stronger bargaining position. When asked about Sarr's future during a press conference on Wednesday, Palace manager Pierre Sage offered a candid assessment.
"I understand that everyone finds it difficult to have this kind of contact because you hesitate a lot, but for the moment he is with us," Sage said. "He is under contract, he is injured, and maybe you can link his injury and the situation." Sage went on to stress his respect for the player’s professionalism.
"But for me, he is honest, and I have no problem with that. 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, indicating that the club’s priority is to see Sarr return to full fitness and contribute on the field.
Liverpool’s transfer agenda extends beyond Sarr. The Reds have identified PSG’s Bradley Barcola as their primary target for the wing, but they remain open to the possibility of signing more than one wide player to increase competition and depth. In addition, Dutch forward Cody Gakpo has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Liverpool have made it clear that they are not willing to sell Gakpo at this stage, and if they were to lose him, the club would likely need to bring in two new wingers to replace his output. The negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh have stalled as well. Brighton have set a valuation of £80 million for the young attacker and have turned down two separate bids from Liverpool. The most recent offer from the Anfield side was £60 million, a figure that Brighton deemed insufficient.
Adding to the complexity, Minteh is currently nursing an injury that is expected to keep him out of action until October, which makes Liverpool reluctant to meet Brighton’s price tag. In summary, Liverpool are actively exploring multiple avenues to strengthen their wide areas. While they have expressed genuine interest in Ismaila Sarr, Palace’s firm stance on retaining the player, combined with his existing contract and injury concerns, means any deal would require careful negotiation. At the same time, the club is keeping tabs on other potential signings such as Bradley Barcola and is prepared to respond to external interest in Cody Gakpo.
The ongoing talks with Brighton over Minteh illustrate the challenges Liverpool face in balancing financial constraints with the desire to acquire top‑class talent. Fans of both clubs will be watching closely as the transfer window progresses, eager to see whether Liverpool can secure the players they need to compete on multiple fronts while Palace aims to keep its key assets intact.
The next few weeks are likely to bring further developments, with possible offers, counter‑offers, and medical updates influencing the final outcomes. Regardless of the eventual decisions, the situation underscores the dynamic nature of modern football transfers, where contract lengths, player fitness, and club strategies intertwine to shape the market.