Ismaila Sarr has emerged as a late summer target for Liverpool
Ismaila Sarr has emerged as a late summer target for Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Liverpool have reportedly submitted an opening bid for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, who is eager to join the Reds in the final days of the window. A new winger is thought to be at the top of Andoni Iraola's shortlist ahead of next week's all-important deadline. They have already signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna but are looking for another wide forward to replace Mohamed Salah, who left Anfield at the end of last season.
Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh emerged as a target for Liverpool earlier this month, with the Seagulls knocking back two offers for the 22-year-old including one in the region of £60m. It later emerged that negotiations had stalled due to a lack of progress being made over the weekend.
Now, the Reds have shelved their interest in Minteh and switched their focus to a move for Sarr, according to Fabrizio Romano.
It's claimed that talks are underway at club level, with Liverpool having submitted an offer worth around £50m. They already have the green light from the player himself, who is said to be keen on joining the Merseyside giants.
However, it remains to be seen if Palace will be open to selling Sarr at that price, given that they have already rejected two bids from Galatasaray this summer.
He is a key player for the Eagles but is understood to be eager to leave Selhurst Park before the window closes next week.
Last season, he scored nine league goals in 28 appearances, including one against Liverpool when they were beaten by Palace at the start of the campaign.
The winger is reportedly keen to leave Selhurst Park before the deadline
The winger is reportedly keen to leave Selhurst Park before the deadline (Image: Getty)
Sarr remains tied down until 2029, meaning Palace aren't under any immediate financial pressure to sell him this summer. However, they may want to steer clear of forcing a clearly unsettled player to stay at the club.
He was left out of the Palace squad that lost to Everton on the opening weekend of the new season because of a minor injury.
He said: "The doctor, the player and I took the decision before our training session yesterday to let him have treatment.
"We don’t want him to leave, he is under contract with us for three years and he will be with us on Monday. That’s the most important information for me and for you."