Liverpool Pursue Ismaila Sarr Amidst Winger Market Challenges

Liverpool refuse to step away from Ismaila Sarr and are readying a fresh offer for the Crystal Palace winger, as another wide target slips through their fingers and heads for Aston Villa.

Liverpool circle back for Sarr

Ismaila Sarr has moved to the top of Liverpool’s winger shortlist. The Reds have already tested Palace’s resolve, tabling a £50 million bid on August 26, as reported by The Mirror, with the player described as keen on a switch to Anfield before the window shuts next week.

That first move hit a wall. Fabrizio Romano revealed that Palace rejected Liverpool’s opening offer and that their plan is to keep the 28-year-old Senegal international. Palace are under no pressure to sell, and they are acting like it.

Liverpool, though, are not walking away.

According to Sky Sport Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri, posting on X at 3:04pm on August 28, Liverpool are “making another push” and are preparing a new proposal for Sarr. The club’s recruitment team, having already run into resistance elsewhere in the market, are doubling down on a player they clearly see as a major attacking piece.

The race is not one-on-one. Tavolieri also reported that Al Ittihad are closely monitoring the situation and could pounce if negotiations between Liverpool and Palace collapse. For now, Liverpool are in the driving seat in terms of intent, but the presence of Saudi interest adds another layer of urgency.

This renewed pursuit of Sarr comes after Liverpool’s attempts to sign Brighton and Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh stalled. Brighton are holding out for around £70m, a figure Liverpool have so far refused to match, with both of their bids falling short of that valuation. The failure to find common ground there has only sharpened the focus on Sarr.

Mbaye slips away to Villa

While Liverpool push hard for Sarr, another target is heading elsewhere.

Before moving on Minteh and Sarr, Liverpool explored a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18-year-old had been on their radar, but PSG’s £60m price tag proved too steep for Fenway Sports Group. Liverpool stepped back. Aston Villa stepped in.

By late afternoon on August 28, the situation had shifted decisively. At 4:10pm, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on X that Villa had reached an agreement in principle with PSG to sign Mbaye, with the deal being finalised at around €55m. Ornstein also underlined how the relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris helped smooth the path to an agreement.

For Liverpool, it is another winger target gone and another reminder of how quickly the market moves at the sharp end of the window. With Mbaye bound for Villa Park and Minteh locked behind Brighton’s valuation, the pressure on their pursuit of Sarr only grows.

The clock is ticking. Palace are standing firm. Saudi money lurks in the background. Liverpool know exactly what they want on that right flank—now they have to decide how far they are willing to go to get it.