Crystal Palace rebuff Liverpool approach for Ismaila Sarr | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have rebuffed an initial approach from Liverpool for Ismaila Sarr, with exploratory talks not followed by a bid. According to The Athletic, only an astronomical offer would alter Palace’s stance while Liverpool keep other targets in play.

Liverpool discussed Sarr, 28, as they search for a right-sided winger, but interest cooled once it was clear Palace were not willing to sell. Brighton & Hove Albion rejected a second £60m offer for Yankuba Minteh, and with alternatives identified Liverpool are unlikely to push further.

Sarr missed the opening-day defeat by Everton amid speculation, but new manager Pierre Sage attributed his absence to injury. He said he expects Sarr to stay for now, stressing the forward has three years left on his contract. Sage added he has spoken to the Senegal international and wants him back on the pitch, with others to handle the rest.

Palace value Sarr highly after he was their player of the year and top scorer last season. Replacing him this late would be difficult, and there is no like-for-like option in the squad.

His direct running, pace and finishing are central to how Palace intend to play under Sage, as they were under Oliver Glasner. There is a price at which he could leave, but timing and importance mean it would be higher than usual.

Source: NY Times

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”