Crystal Palace has swiftly rebuffed Liverpool's approach for forward Ismaila Sarr after the Reds made an inquiry over the Senegalese international
Ismaila Sarr #18 of Senegal reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium
Liverpool's inquiry for Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr has been rejected(Image: (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images))
Crystal Palace has rejected Liverpool's approach for forward Ismailia Sarr.
With the close of the transfer window rapidly approaching, the Reds are desperately pursuing every avenue possible to improve their attack so as to give new boss Andoni Iraola the best possible opportunity to deliver success in his inaugural season on Merseyside. Liverpool remains locked in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over winger Bradley Barcola, and has also made offers to Brighton & Hove Albion for Yankuba Minteh.
However, no deal has been agreed over the former yet, while Brighton rejected two offers last week for Minteh, who is currently sidelined until October. It has now been reported that the Reds have also had an approach for Sarr swiftly rejected by Palace, who want to retain the Senegalese international.
READ MORE: Ismaila Sarr already made Liverpool transfer stance clear as Reds 'open talks'
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The Athletic reports that Sarr has been identified as a player of interest to the Reds, who are looking to bolster their right-sided attacking options after failing to do so this summer.
Following the rejected bids for Minteh, Liverpool turned its attention to the Palace forward, only to be told Sarr was not for sale.
No bid followed Liverpool's inquiry, and it was also reported that it would take an "astronomical bid" to change Palace's stance on Sarr.
Ismaila Sarr in action for Crystal Palace against Liverpool.
Ismaila Sarr in action for Crystal Palace against Liverpool.(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
The 28-year-old missed Palace's 2-0 opening day Premier League defeat to Everton last weekend amid questions surrounding his future. Sarr has been linked with a move to Turkey, with Galatasaray interested.
Speaking on Wednesday, Palace boss Pierre Sage, who said Sarr missed the game against Everton due to injury, said he expects the winger to remain with the club.
"For the moment, yes," said Sage when asked about Sarr's future. "When you have three years on your contract, it’s not easy to leave.
"I understand for everyone if you have this kind of contact it’s difficult because you hesitate a lot but for the moment he is with us, he is under contract.
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion is on the pitch before the Premier League match between Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, England, on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Yankuba Minteh is also wanted by Liverpool(Image: Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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He added, "He is injured and maybe you can make a link between injury and the situation but for me he is honest. I spoke with him this morning and yesterday about that with him but we just want him on the pitch and all the rest is for other people."
Palace's stance at this point in the transfer window makes sense, given that Sarr was the club's top scorer last season.
He was also named Palace's Player of the Year last term, and with the club set to compete in the Europa League as well after having won the Europa Conference League last season, selling him at this point in the window without a replacement lined up would be catastrophic for a side that does not boast the deepest squad.