Liverpool have opened discussions with Crystal Palace about the possible acquisition of winger Ismaila Sarr, a 28‑year‑old who has been a key figure on the south coast side's flank. The Reds, under manager Andoni Iraola, are actively reviewing their options after negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh reached an impasse.
Sarr has emerged as one of several candidates Liverpool are scouting to add depth and quality to their wide‑area options. At present, Palace are firm in their stance that Sarr is not for sale. The club has made it clear that the player remains under contract for another three seasons and they have no intention of letting him leave in the immediate future. This position is reinforced by recent reports that Sarr missed Palace's opening‑week defeat to Everton, with initial speculation suggesting a training boycott.
However, sources now indicate that the winger is dealing with an injury, which has kept him out of action. Palace manager Pierre Sage addressed the situation in a press conference on Wednesday, acknowledging the complexity of transfer rumours and the uncertainty they create. "I understand that everyone finds it difficult to deal with this kind of speculation because there is a lot of hesitation," Sage said. "For the moment, he is with us.
He is under contract, he is injured, and perhaps you can link his injury to the current situation." Sage went on to stress the player's professionalism, noting that he has spoken with Sarr both that morning and the previous day. "He is honest, and I have no problem with that. We just want him back on the pitch, and the rest is for the other people involved," the manager added, underscoring that the club's priority is getting the winger fit and available for selection.
The broader context of Liverpool's transfer strategy reveals a busy window for the Anfield club. While Sarr is a primary target, the Reds are also monitoring other wide‑men.
Paris Saint‑Germain's Bradley Barcola has been identified as Liverpool's main target, though the club remains open to the possibility of signing multiple wingers to bolster competition and cover for potential departures. One such departure could involve Cody Gakpo, who has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Liverpool have made it clear that they are not prepared to sell the Dutch forward at this stage. Should Gakpo eventually move on, the Merseyside side would likely need to secure two new wingers to replace his contributions both in attack and on the counter‑attack.
Meanwhile, negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh have stalled. Brighton have set a valuation of £80 million for the young talent, rejecting two earlier bids from Liverpool.
The most recent offer from Iraola's side stood at £60 million, a figure the Reds are currently unwilling to meet, especially given Minteh's injury problems that are expected to keep him sidelined until at least October. In summary, Liverpool are juggling several transfer threads as they aim to reinforce their squad ahead of a demanding season.
The club's interest in Ismaila Sarr reflects a desire to add pace, creativity, and experience to the flanks, but Palace's firm position and the player's current injury status add layers of complexity to any potential deal. At the same time, Liverpool must balance their ambitions with financial prudence, particularly in relation to the Minteh saga, while also keeping an eye on other high‑profile targets like Barcola and managing interest in their own assets such as Gakpo. The outcome of these negotiations will shape the composition of Liverpool's attacking options and could have a significant impact on their performance in domestic and European competitions.