Pierre Sage Expects Ismaila Sarr to Stay at Crystal Palace
Pierre Sage expects Ismaila Sarr to stay at Crystal Palace despite Liverpool’s move for the winger and firm interest from Galatasaray.
The Senegal international, 28, sat out Palace’s Premier League opener against Everton and will also miss Friday night’s home clash with Manchester City. His absence has fuelled talk of a transfer push, but Sage pushed back hard on claims Sarr is refusing to train.
“He is in pain with his groin – that’s why you didn’t see him with us today,” the new Palace head coach said, explaining the forward is currently on an individual programme. “We’ll prepare him, he needs time. I thought it would be quicker, but I am not a doctor. No chance he plays against City.”
Liverpool have made an approach and Galatasaray have already seen two bids rejected, yet Sage was clear when asked if he expects Sarr to remain at Selhurst Park beyond the window.
“For the moment, yeah. Because when you have three years on the contract, it is not easy to leave,” he said.
Sarr, who still has three years left on his deal, has held talks with Sage this week. The Frenchman admitted he feels for a player whose name is being thrown around at the top end of the market.
“I understand that for everybody 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,” Sage said.
The speculation, the links to Liverpool, the noise around Galatasaray – Sage knows the narrative almost writes itself. An injured star, a looming transfer window, a powerful suitor.
He is adamant that is not what is happening.
“He is injured and maybe you can make a link between his injury and the situation. But for me, he is honest and I have no problem with that,” Sage insisted. “I spoke with him this morning about that, yesterday about that, too. And we just want him on the pitch.”
The coach painted a familiar picture of a modern window: agents pushing, families worrying, players caught in the middle.
“Football is like this now, we know when it is the transfer window that there is a lot of noise, a lot of stuff for the player,” he said. “Maybe some of them are not really comfortable with this situation – and their agent, too, their family. That’s why it is not really a good period when you are inside in a club, but you know when it is finished we will only be concerned with our performances. We just have to wait for that.”
One detail Sage did not downplay was the scale of the club circling his forward.
“It’s always difficult for a player when your name is associated with a club like Liverpool,” he admitted.
For now, though, Sage wants the conversation dragged back to the treatment room, not the boardroom.
“For the moment, the most important thing is to understand the player is not able to play and is in treatment, and what happens with his potential future is really far from me.”
Liverpool have made their move. Galatasaray have tested Palace’s resolve. Sarr is on the physio’s table, not the training pitch. The window is still open – but Sage is betting on his winger walking back out at Selhurst Park in red and blue, not red.
