Liverpool target Sarr after Minteh talks stall
Liverpool target Ismaila Sarr as transfer talks with Crystal Palace heat up after Minteh deal stalls. Latest updates on the Reds’ summer moves.
Liverpool have approached Crystal Palace regarding a potential move for winger Ismaila Sarr as the club searches for reinforcements out wide. The Reds are exploring their options after talks with Brighton stalled over Yankuba Minteh, a situation that has complicated their summer transfer plans.
Palace stance on Sarr
Crystal Palace have no intention of letting Sarr leave at this stage and consider the 28-year-old to be not for sale. He is under contract until 2027, which gives the south London club significant leverage in negotiations.
Sarr missed Palace’s opening weekend defeat at Everton, leading to some confusion regarding his absence. Reports claimed he was refusing to train, but it is understood that the winger is currently injured. This physical setback appears to be the primary reason he is not on the pitch right now.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Palace boss Pierre Sage addressed the situation directly. “I understand for everybody that to have this kind of contact is difficult because you hesitate a lot, but for the moment he is with us,” Sage said. “He is under contract, he is injured, and maybe you can link his injury and the situation.”
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Sage added that he had spoken with the player earlier in the day and found him to be honest. “But for me, he is honest, and I have no problem with that,” the manager noted. “I spoke with him this morning about that. Yesterday about that too, and we just want him on the pitch, and all the rest for the other people.”
The stalled Minteh situation
Brighton are holding out for a fee of £80 million after rejecting two bids from Liverpool. The latest offer from Andoni Iraola’s side was worth £60 million, a figure the Seagulls are reportedly unwilling to meet. Liverpool are currently unwilling to reach that valuation for Minteh, who is injured and expected to be out until October.
PSG’s Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool’s main target for a wide attacking player. However, the club is also considering the possibility of signing more than one winger depending on how the market develops. Cody Gakpo is the subject of interest from Tottenham and Manchester City, but Liverpool are not open to selling the Dutchman as things stand.
Should Gakpo depart, the Reds would likely need to sign two wingers to replace him, complicating the squad composition further. The search for a solution continues as the transfer window progresses.
