Liverpool's Pursuit of Ismaïla Sarr Rejected by Palace

Liverpool’s search for a successor to Mohamed Salah has hit another wall, with Crystal Palace shutting the door on an approach for Ismaïla Sarr.

The Reds sounded out Palace over the Senegal international as they look to bring in a right‑sided forward before the transfer window shuts. Reports from Fabrizio Romano suggested Liverpool had gone as far as tabling a €58.4 million bid for the winger, but The Athletic painted a different picture, stating no formal offer was lodged.

What is clear: Liverpool asked the question. Palace’s answer was blunt. Sarr is not for sale.

Palace Stand Firm as Interest Mounts

Palace’s stance comes after a summer of persistent attention around Sarr. Galatasaray have already seen two bids rejected and, with the Turkish club unlikely to come back with a significantly improved offer, the London side look determined to keep one of their key men.

Sarr’s stock has rarely been higher. At 28, he brings serious Premier League mileage with 116 appearances and has just helped Palace to Europa Conference League glory, scoring 21 goals in the campaign. Perform like that in Europe and the elite will circle. This summer, they have.

Liverpool are the latest heavyweight to try their luck, but Palace are acting like a club that knows exactly what it has – and is in no rush to cash in.

A Complicated Summer on the Right

Liverpool’s rebuild on the right flank has been anything but straightforward. The club have been linked with a string of options as they prepare for life without Salah, or at least a future in which his minutes and role may need managing.

Yankuba Minteh was a serious target, but Liverpool backed away when Brighton’s demands climbed to around €90 million. That price effectively shut that door and forced the recruitment team to pivot.

The conversation then moved through other names. Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG has been heavily discussed internally, while Sarr emerged as the next concrete move. Each attempt underlines the same reality: Liverpool want a ready-made, top-level right‑winger, and they want him now.

Barcola Talks Add Another Layer

The search is not confined to the right. Liverpool are also in talks to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG. The French international prefers to operate from the left, which would add a different dimension to the forward line and reshape the balance of the attack.

If Barcola arrives and Sarr remains locked away at Selhurst Park, Liverpool’s front three could look very different to the one that terrorised defences in the Salah–Mané–Firmino era. The club are clearly trying to build the next version of that trident, piece by piece.

For now, though, Palace have made their position clear. Sarr stays. Liverpool move on to the next name on a list that seems to grow longer by the day.