Liverpool have opened formal discussions with Crystal Palace about the possible acquisition of their 28‑year‑old winger, Ismaila Sarr. The Merseyside club, led by manager Andoni Iraola, are actively scouting options on the flanks after their negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion for Yankuba Minteh have reached an impasse. Sarr, who has been a regular feature on Palace’s left‑hand side, is now listed among the shortlist of wide‑players that Liverpool hope to bring to Anfield to add pace, creativity and goal‑scoring threat from wide areas. At present, Palace appear reluctant to part with the French‑Algerian international.
Club chairman and manager Pierre‑Sébastien Aubameyang (commonly referred to as Pierre Sage) made it clear that Sarr is not for sale at this stage, emphasizing that the player still has three years remaining on his current contract. The club’s stance is reinforced by the fact that Sarr is currently nursing an injury, which has kept him out of action since the opening weekend defeat to Everton.
Initial reports suggested that the winger had been refusing to train, but subsequent information indicates that his absence is due to a legitimate fitness issue rather than disciplinary problems. During a press conference on Wednesday, Sage addressed the speculation surrounding Sarr’s future. He said, "I understand that everyone finds it difficult when there is speculation about a player’s future, especially when the situation is uncertain. For the moment, he is still 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 his respect for the player, adding, "He is honest, and I have no problem with that. I spoke with him this morning about the situation, and again yesterday.
Our priority is to get him back on the pitch, and the rest will fall into place for everyone involved." The interest from Liverpool is part of a broader strategy to overhaul their attacking options on the wings. While PSG’s Bradley Barcola has been identified as Liverpool’s primary target, the club is not ruling out the possibility of signing more than one winger in the upcoming transfer window.
This approach would provide depth and competition for places, ensuring that the team remains potent on both flanks throughout a demanding season. Another name circulating in the market is Cody Gakpo, who has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. However, Liverpool have indicated that they are not prepared to sell the Dutch forward at this time.
Should Gakpo eventually leave, the Reds would likely need to secure two quality wingers to adequately replace his contribution to the attack. Meanwhile, negotiations with Brighton for Yankuba Minteh have stalled. The Seagulls have set a valuation of £80 million for the young striker, rejecting two earlier bids from Liverpool.
The most recent offer from the Liverpool board stood at £60 million, a figure the club is currently unwilling to meet. Complicating matters further, Minteh is dealing with an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until at least October, reducing his immediate utility for Liverpool. In summary, Liverpool’s transfer activity this summer revolves around strengthening their wide‑area options. While the club remains keen on securing a high‑profile winger such as Barcola, they are also actively pursuing Ismaila Sarr as a viable alternative.
Palace’s firm stance on retaining Sarr, combined with his current injury, adds a layer of complexity to the deal. At the same time, the stalled talks over Minteh and the potential departure of Cody Gakpo underscore the need for Liverpool to be flexible and possibly bring in multiple players to cover any eventual gaps.
Fans of both clubs will be watching closely as the summer window progresses, with the hope that Liverpool can finalize a deal that enhances their squad depth and that Palace can retain a key player who has proven his worth on the Premier League stage. The next few weeks are likely to bring further clarity on whether Sarr will stay at Selhurst Park or embark on a new chapter at Anfield, and how Liverpool will balance their ambitions with the financial realities of the market. (Word count: approximately 630)