LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s initial interest in Crystal Palace‘s Ismaila Sarr has been immediately rebuffed, with the club now unlikely to make a formal bid for the 28-year-old.
Sarr emerged as a shock target for Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon, following previous contact with Ibrahim Mbaye and two bids for Yankuba Minteh.
With talks with Paris Saint-Germain and Brighton proving difficult, the Reds were claimed to have made an approach over a possible £50 million deal with Palace.
The Athletic‘s David Ornstein now reports this has been rejected, with Palace making clear “only an astronomical bid would change their chance.”
He adds that “exploratory talks for Sarr were not followed by a bid,” and that he “was identified as a player of interest until it became clear his current club were not willing to sell.”
Liverpool are understood to be considering a number of targets for the right wing and links with Sarr were widely considered out of left field.
Ornstein adds that “with other targets still in mind, Liverpool are unlikely to budge” on Palace’s demands, suggesting they will now turn their attention elsewhere.
It is possible that they will return for either Mbaye, 18, or Minteh, 22, who are considerably younger than the 28-year-old Sarr.
Could Liverpool return for Mbaye or Minteh?
Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, Fulham. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, Fulham. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026.
Reports of interest in the Senegal international could in fact be part of the process when it comes to lowering the demands of PSG or Brighton with under a week to go until the transfer deadline.
Liverpool are reported to have pulled out of the running for Minteh, for the time being at least, having been quoted a fee for £80 million.
Meanwhile it has been claimed that talks over a deal for Mbaye broke down as PSG demanded a significant fee alongside their lofty €140 million (£120m) price tag for Bradley Barcola.
Barcola remains the priority target to become first-choice left winger, with any additional signing aimed to supplement the options on the right.
Football – Football League Cup – 4th Round – Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr (L) celebrates with team-mate Yeremy Pino after scoring the first goal during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. Palace won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Community Shield – Crystal Palace FC v Liverpool FC
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr celebrates with the trophy after the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Monaco's Lamine Camara during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)