Reuters
Crystal Palace will be without one of their key stars in Ismaila Sarr for their Premier League opener with Everton on Saturday due to an ongoing transfer saga. The Eagles are beginning a new era under Pierre Sage, and they are hoping to get off on the right foot on Saturday when they take on Everton on Merseyside.
Palace and Everton should have similar ambitions this season, making it an intriguing opening day fixture, but the Eagles look as though they are going to be without one of their important attackers in Sarr.
According to FootMercato, Sarr will not be involved in Palace's squad due to his ongoing push to join Turkish giants Galatasaray. It's c;aimed the attacker is 'determined' to join Galatasaray this summer, and his absence will pile the pressure on palace, who have rejected the Turkish club's opening offer.
Sage will have been hoping to call upon Sarr, who has been a key player over the last couple of years, described as 'incredible' by the club, but while a deal is not done yet, the player's stance likely has the Palace boss feeling as though Sarr is not in the right mind to properly compete.
Sarr's stats in last five season
2025/26 (Palace) - 20 goals, 1 assist
2024/25 (Palace) - 12 goals, 8 assists
2023/24 (Marseille) - 5 goals, 8 assists
2022/23 (Watford) - 10 goals, 6 assists
2021/22 (Watford) - 13 goals, 5 assists
Sarr a key player for Palace
Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr reacts after missing a chance against Man City
Former Palace boss Oliver Glasner was a huge fan of Sarr's. He said last season: “He has the confidence necessary and the players around him to give him the passes. The second goal, it’s exceptional from Adam [Wharton], but he is always attacking and making these runs. He knows where to move, how to move, he has the speed, the physicality and the quality of finishing. He does very well for us.”
Only this week, Palace's current boss Sage said: “We will keep him. He’s a really important player for the club and for us. He will be able to play this weekend.”
Palace have been good at keeping players amid transfer interest over recent years, but if the player decided to push for a deal and starts to refuse to play - which we do not know to be the case here - then it could make life difficult for the club. For now, it is over to Galatasaray to put in an offer that matches what the Eagles want.
Pierre Sage
Pierre Sage