Crystal Palace Denies Ismaila Sarr Strike Claims Amid Liverpool Interest

Crystal Palace have shut down talk of Ismaila Sarr forcing a move away, insisting the winger is simply injured as Liverpool circle late in the window.

Liverpool recently contacted Palace about Sarr after their move for Yankuba Minteh collapsed, with a £50 million offer reported. That was enough to send speculation into overdrive. Stories emerged that Sarr was refusing to train to push through a switch to Anfield or Galatasaray.

Palace manager Sage was having none of it.

“Ismaila Sarr is injured. He is in pain with his groin – that’s why you didn’t see him with us today,” Sage said, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. “He is in individual training because he is really in pain with his groin. But we’ll prepare him, he needs time.”

The timing has inevitably raised eyebrows. Sarr, 28, sat out Palace’s Premier League opener against Everton and will also miss Friday night’s meeting with champions Manchester City. With three years still to run on his contract and serious money on the table from Liverpool, the noise around him has only grown louder.

Sage knows exactly what comes with having a player linked so heavily with a club of Liverpool’s stature, but he is adamant the forward is not downing tools.

“It’s always difficult for a player when your name is associated with a club like Liverpool,” he said. “For the moment, the most important thing is to understand the player is not able to play and is in treatment, and what happens with his potential future is really far from me.”

Behind the scenes, Sage has moved to protect his player. He held private talks with Sarr this week, aiming to keep his mindset clear as interest mounts not only from Liverpool but also Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

“I understand that for everybody to have this kind of contact is difficult, because you hesitate a lot,” Sage continued. “But for the moment, he is with us. He is under contract. He is injured and maybe you can make a link between his injury and the situation. But for me, he is honest and I have no problem with that.”

So the picture is stark. Palace insist Sarr is hurt, not on strike. Liverpool are at the door with serious money. The window is closing fast. How long can that hold?