Liverpool's Pursuit of Ismaïla Sarr Faces Setback as Transfer Window Closes

Liverpool’s search for a successor to Mohamed Salah has hit another wall, with Crystal Palace turning away an approach for Ismaïla Sarr as the transfer window ticks towards its close.

Reports claimed the Reds tabled a bid of €58.4 million for the Palace winger, with Fabrizio Romano stating an offer had gone in. The Athletic painted a different picture, suggesting no formal bid was submitted. What is clear is that Liverpool did test the waters and were met with a firm response: Sarr is not for sale.

Palace’s stance is nothing new. Galatasaray have already had two offers rejected for the 28-year-old this summer, and the Turkish side are not expected to come back with a third. The message from Selhurst Park has been consistent. Hands off.

A Complicated Summer on the Right

Liverpool’s recruitment team have been working through a long list of right-sided options in their attempt to reshape the attack for the post-Salah era. The chase has been anything but straightforward.

Andoni Iraola’s side initially pushed hard for Yankuba Minteh, only to walk away when Brighton’s demands soared. The Seagulls were understood to want around €90 million for the winger, a figure that forced Liverpool to pivot.

That shift brought Sarr into sharper focus. He ticks the boxes: pace, end product, and a proven record in the Premier League. Yet even that hasn’t been enough to loosen Palace’s grip.

The Senegal international has racked up 116 Premier League appearances and arrives at this window off the back of a standout season. He was instrumental as Palace lifted the Europa Conference League, scoring 21 goals in a campaign that inevitably drew the gaze of Europe’s elite. Interest was always coming. Palace were always going to have to brace themselves.

For now, they are holding the line.

Barcola Talks Add Another Twist

Sarr is not the only name on Liverpool’s radar. The club are also in discussions over Bradley Barcola with Paris Saint-Germain. The French international is more at home on the left, which adds another layer of intrigue to Liverpool’s planning.

The pattern is clear, though. Liverpool are determined to reshape their forward line with at least one marquee wide addition, possibly two, and they are willing to move quickly across multiple targets to get there.

They just need someone to say yes.