Liverpool Pursue Ismaila Sarr Amid Aston Villa Interest
Liverpool refuse to walk away from Ismaila Sarr and are preparing a fresh offer for the Crystal Palace winger, as another wide target slips towards Aston Villa.
The Senegal international has shot to the top of Liverpool’s winger shortlist, with the club already testing Palace’s resolve. On August 26, The Mirror revealed that Liverpool had tabled a £50 million bid, with Sarr described as “keen on a move to Anfield” before the window shuts next week.
That first move hit a wall. Palace turned it down.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported that the London club rejected the offer and that their current “plan” is to keep the 28-year-old, who has become a central figure at Selhurst Park. Liverpool, though, are not backing off.
The pressure is building again.
At 3:04pm on August 28, Sky Sport Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri posted on X that Liverpool are “making another push” for Sarr and are “preparing to submit a new proposal” to Palace. His update also underlined that the Reds are not alone in the chase: Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad are closely tracking the situation and could step in if Liverpool’s pursuit collapses.
So the tug-of-war is set. Palace want to keep him. Liverpool want him now. Al Ittihad lurk in the background.
This renewed push comes after a frustrating run of near-misses out wide for Fenway Sports Group. Before moving on Sarr, Liverpool went hard for Brighton and Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh. Brighton set their price at £70m; Liverpool sent in two bids, both short of that valuation. No deal.
The same pattern emerged with another target.
Mbaye slips away to Villa
Paris Saint-Germain youngster Ibrahim Mbaye was also on Liverpool’s radar earlier in the window. The 18-year-old winger fit the profile: high ceiling, elite-club experience, long-term asset. But PSG’s stance was firm. They wanted around £60m.
Liverpool walked away from that number. Aston Villa did not.
At 4:10pm on August 28, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Villa had reached an agreement in principle with PSG to sign Mbaye. The fee: €55m, with the move “in process of being finalised.” Ornstein added that the relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris played a key role in pushing the deal towards completion.
So while Villa close in on Mbaye, Liverpool pivot back to Sarr, still searching for the winger who will reshape their attack.
The clock is ticking. Will Palace hold their line, or will Liverpool’s next bid finally crack it?
