Liverpool Pursue Ismaila Sarr Amid Transfer Challenges
Liverpool refuse to walk away from Ismaila Sarr and are preparing a fresh offer for the Crystal Palace winger, as their search for wide reinforcements takes another twist and Aston Villa close in on a separate target.
Liverpool circle back for Sarr
Ismaila Sarr has moved to the top of Liverpool’s winger shortlist. The club have already tested Palace’s resolve with a £50 million bid, reported on August 26, which The Mirror said the Senegal international is keen to see accepted as he eyes a move to Anfield before the window shuts next week.
That opening offer hit a wall.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that Palace rejected Liverpool’s bid and stressed that the London club’s plan is to keep the 28-year-old. Palace have treated Sarr as central to their project, not as a player to cash in on late in the window.
Liverpool are not backing down.
According to Sky Sport Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri, posting on X at 3:04pm on August 28, the Reds are “making another push” and are “preparing to submit a new proposal” for Sarr. The renewed effort underlines how determined Fenway Sports Group are to land a winger after a series of near misses.
There is another complication. Tavolieri also reported that Al Ittihad are closely monitoring the situation and could move if Liverpool’s pursuit stalls. Any delay risks turning this into a three-way battle, with Saudi money lurking in the background and Palace already showing they are in no rush to sell.
Minteh chase stalls, attention turns
Liverpool’s move for Sarr comes on the back of frustration elsewhere in the market.
Before turning to the Palace man, the club went hard for Brighton and Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh. Brighton’s valuation, around £70 million, has proved a major obstacle. Liverpool have lodged two bids, both short of that figure, and Brighton have held firm.
The pattern is clear: Liverpool want a winger, and they want one now, but they will not be dictated to on price. That stance has already pushed them away from one of Europe’s most talked-about prospects.
Mbaye slips away to Villa
The same financial red line appeared in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain talent Ibrahim Mbaye.
Liverpool explored a deal for the 18-year-old PSG winger earlier in the window, only to walk away when the French champions set their asking price at £60 million. For Liverpool’s recruitment team, that number was too high for a teenager still at the start of his senior career.
Aston Villa did not flinch.
At 4:10pm on August 28, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Villa have reached an agreement in principle to sign Mbaye from PSG. The deal is being finalised at €55 million, with the relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris described as key to getting it over the line.
So while Liverpool haggle and pivot, Villa are set to land one of the brightest young wingers in Europe.
A crucial few days for Liverpool’s attack
Liverpool now find themselves at a crossroads. Mbaye is heading to Villa. Minteh remains locked behind Brighton’s £70 million valuation. Sarr is the live target, but Palace have already said no once and know Liverpool are under pressure as the window ticks down.
The next bid for Sarr will say plenty about how far FSG are willing to stretch for a winger who, in their eyes, can reshape Jürgen Klopp’s options out wide. With Al Ittihad watching and Palace standing firm, Liverpool’s margin for error is shrinking fast.
