Liverpool have opened discussions with Crystal Palace about the possible acquisition of winger Ismaila Sarr, a 28‑year‑old who has been a regular feature on the south‑coast club's flanks. The Anfield side, managed by Andoni Iraola, are actively reviewing their options after negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh stalled, leaving a clear need for fresh talent on the wings.
Sarr has emerged as one of the names Liverpool are evaluating as they aim to bolster their wide‑area options. Palace, however, have made it unmistakably clear that they are not prepared to part with the French‑born attacker at this juncture. The club has indicated that the player is "not for sale" and emphasized that he still has three years remaining on his current contract, which further complicates any immediate transfer.
The situation surrounding Sarr's recent availability has added another layer of intrigue. He missed Palace's opening‑weekend defeat to Everton, prompting rumors that he was refusing to train. Subsequent reports have clarified that the winger is actually dealing with an injury, which has kept him out of the squad.
This injury, coupled with his contractual status, has given Palace a stronger negotiating position. When questioned about Sarr's future during a press conference on Wednesday, Palace manager Pierre Sage offered a measured response. He said, "I understand for everybody that to have this kind of contact is difficult because you hesitate a lot, but for the moment he is with us. He is under contract, he is injured, and maybe you can link his injury and the situation." Sage went on to stress the player's honesty and his own desire to see Sarr back on the pitch as soon as possible, stating, "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." Liverpool's broader transfer strategy suggests that Sarr is not the only winger on their radar. The club's primary target remains Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint‑Germain, but there is a realistic scenario in which Liverpool could secure more than one wide‑player to ensure depth and competition. Additionally, Dutch forward Cody Gakpo has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
While Liverpool have indicated they are not prepared to sell Gakpo at present, any potential departure would likely necessitate the signing of two wingers to maintain squad balance. The stalled talks with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh further underline Liverpool's urgency. Brighton have set a firm price tag of £80 million after rejecting two earlier bids from the Merseyside club.
The most recent offer from Andoni Iraola's side was reportedly £60 million, a figure Liverpool have so far been unwilling to meet. Complicating matters, Minteh is currently nursing an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until October, reducing his immediate utility for Liverpool. In summary, Liverpool are juggling several moving parts in the transfer market. They are keen to add pace and creativity to their flanks, with Ismaila Sarr representing a viable option if Palace can be persuaded to negotiate.
At the same time, the club remains focused on securing Bradley Barcola and monitoring the situation with Cody Gakpo, while also trying to find a resolution with Brighton over Minteh. All of these elements will shape Liverpool's final squad composition for the upcoming season, as they aim to strengthen their attacking options and maintain competitiveness on both domestic and European fronts.