Liverpool Targets Ismaila Sarr After Yankuba Minteh Deal Falls Through

Liverpool Redirects Transfer Efforts to Ismaila Sarr with £50 Million Bid

Liverpool have shifted their transfer focus, placing a substantial £50 million offer on the table for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr. This comes after the club abandoned their pursuit of Brighton forward Yankuba Minteh, with manager Andoni Iraola eager to bring in attacking reinforcements before the summer transfer window shuts.

From Minteh to Sarr: A Swift Change in Plans

The Reds faced setbacks in signing Minteh, as two bids failed to meet Brighton’s firm £70 million valuation. With just five days left before Monday’s deadline, Liverpool acted quickly to find an alternative target. The 28-year-old Sarr, who joined Palace two years ago, reportedly welcomes a move to Anfield amid the club’s need for wide forwards following the loss of Diogo Jota and the departures of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.

Competition Intensifies for Sarr’s Signature

The battle to secure Sarr is fierce. According to Foot Mercato, Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray are also pursuing the winger. Galatasaray appear to be in advanced negotiations, while Al-Hilal closely monitor developments.

Last season, Sarr made 45 appearances across all competitions, scoring 21 goals and adding two assists. His contributions helped Crystal Palace win the UEFA Europa Conference League. Additionally, he impressed at the recent World Cup, netting four goals before Senegal exited in the round of 32 against Belgium.

Iraola Pushes for Urgent Reinforcements

Manager Andoni Iraola has openly expressed his frustration about squad depth, especially with interest from Tottenham and Manchester City in Cody Gakpo. Speaking to Sky Sports, Iraola said, "Some deals you have to wait until the end. But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1, because it is true that we are still quite thin." He also acknowledged the challenge of strengthening every position with top players before the campaign started, but accepted the need to adapt.

What Lies Ahead for Liverpool?

Now Liverpool must act fast to fend off rivals and await Crystal Palace’s reply to their £50 million offer. If accepted, Sarr could complete his medical before the window closes. At the same time, Liverpool continue negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain over a possible deal for forward Bradley Barcola, aiming to add more firepower to their attack.