Liverpool are negotiating with Crystal Palace over a potential move for Senegal international Ismaila Sarr, who is keen to join the club before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
Sarr is understood to believe he has reached the end of his time at Selhurst Park after a successful spell with Crystal Palace. The forward played a part in the club’s FA Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League successes and now wants a fresh challenge at the highest level.
Sources close to the player say Sarr feels he has given everything to Crystal Palace and believes a move to Anfield would provide the opportunity to test himself among Europe’s elite. He also considers it fair that he should be allowed to leave if the club receives a substantial transfer fee.
Crystal Palace have received an offer for Sarr, according to The Sun, although the value of the bid has not been disclosed. Liverpool and the player’s representatives are waiting for the club’s response, with negotiations expected to progress before Tuesday’s deadline.
The 27-year-old enjoyed his most productive season last term, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. He had also found the net 12 times during the previous campaign as he developed into an important attacking player for Crystal Palace.
The Eagles have lost a number of key performers during that period, including Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and, more recently, Marc Guehi. Sarr believes he has made a significant contribution during his time at the club but remains tied to Crystal Palace until 2029, giving the FA Cup winners a strong negotiating position.
Earlier in the summer, Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Galatasaray explored the possibility of signing the winger. Sarr was reportedly behind Marcus Rashford and Rafael Leao on their respective shortlists, but Leao’s move to Galatasaray has created a possible route for the Senegalese forward to move to Liverpool.
Liverpool are also close to reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola, but remain interested in adding another right winger to their squad. They previously made an offer worth about £55m for Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh, but that bid was rejected.
Like Minteh, Sarr generally operates on the right side of attack and offers both a goal threat and defensive work. However, he has missed Crystal Palace’s opening two matches of the season.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has said he wants to retain the forward, stressing the difficulty of losing a player with three years left on his contract.
“This is the case at the moment, because when you have a player with three years left on his contract, it’s not easy to leave.”
Asked about Liverpool’s possible interest, Glasner added: “I understand that for everyone it’s difficult to face this kind of approach from another club, because you hesitate for a long time.
“But for now, he is with us. He is under contract.
“He is injured, and maybe you can link his injury to this situation. But for me, he is honest, and I have no problem with that.
“We just want him back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
AF’s PC site is now live, offering full news, comments, match details and statistics on computers at www.allfootballapp.com.
