Liverpool have turned their attention to Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr after their pursuit of Brighton's Yankuba Minteh stalled, with the Reds continuing to assess the market for reinforcements
Ismaila Sarr has caused Liverpool problems in the past
Ismaila Sarr has caused Liverpool problems in the past(Image: Sebastian Frej, Getty Images)
Liverpool has shifted its focus to Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr after pulling out of a deal for Yankuba Minteh at Brighton.
Attacking reinforcements have become the Reds' top priority this summer, following Mohamed Salah's departure at the end of last season and Hugo Ekitike's ruptured Achilles, which he sustained in April.
Having already secured Victor Munoz by triggering his release clause at Osasuna, Liverpool is continuing to push for further additions out wide and remain in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, with the Ligue champions seeking approximately $197M (£145m) for the winger.
Alongside their interest in Barcola, Liverpool tabled an offer of $68M (£50m) for Brighton's Minteh last week, before returning with an improved bid of $82M (£60m) on Friday.
The Seagulls are understood to be holding firm for closer to $109M (£80m) for the Gambia international, who is ruled out through injury until October at the earliest, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Liverpool has now turned its attentions to Senegal international Sarr, who has been at Selhurst Park since arriving from Marseille in 2024.
Liverpool's interest in Sarr is far from new, having included him on a three-man shortlist back in the summer of 2020 during his time at Watford, alongside Canada forward Jonathan David and Diogo Jota, who ultimately made the move from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a $61M (£45m) deal.
Reports suggest any deal for the 28-year-old Sarr would be in the region of $68M (£50m), and Liverpool's recruitment team are simply continuing to monitor the market as they seek the right combination of wide players ahead of the 1 September deadline.
Galatasaray had a $48M (£35m) bid for Sarr knocked back earlier this month, while his Palace teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta is also attracting interest from Aston Villa, which could complicate matters for the Reds.
Bradley Barcola remains a target
Bradley Barcola remains a target(Image: SOPA Images, SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A move for Minteh could still be revived should Brighton reduce their asking price for the 22-year-old, and while negotiations over Barcola continue, the future of Cody Gakpo remains unclear.
Netherlands forward Gakpo is attracting attention from both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, yet Liverpool are yet to enter into direct discussions with either club regarding the Dutchman.
The club have also run the rule over Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye and have maintained their interest in Said El Mala of FC Koln, as well as Matias Pardo-Fernandez, who has previously been targeted by both Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
New head coach Andoni Iraola has made no secret of his desire to strengthen the squad before the 11pm deadline next Tuesday, reaffirming his view that the squad is "quite thin" during a conversation with Reds legend Jamie Carragher.
Iraola, who has been candid about the need for wide players throughout the summer, said: "We will definitely sign some players.
"Some deals you have to wait until the end. But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1. Because it is true that we are still quite thin."
Since the turn of the decade, only Ollie Watkins and Erling Haaland have netted more goals against Liverpool across all competitions than Sarr's tally of seven.