Liverpool's Pursuit of Ismaila Sarr After Minteh Talks Collapse

Liverpool’s pursuit of a successor to Mohamed Salah has taken another sharp turn, with Ismaila Sarr emerging as a serious option after the collapse of talks for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh.

Liverpool walk away from Minteh deal

Liverpool had pushed hard for Minteh, a long-term target who first came onto their radar during Arne Slot’s previous interest. They opened with a £50million bid to Brighton, then went back with £60m when that was knocked back. Inside Anfield, a third offer was being weighed up, with the expectation that £70m would be enough to get it done.

Then the price changed.

During fresh talks, Brighton made it clear they wanted £80m. At that point, according to multiple reports including Fabrizio Romano and Ben Jacobs, Liverpool cooled their interest. Romano described the club as having “gone cold” on Minteh, with the recruitment team now turning to “different options for the second winger” to join Bradley Barcola.

The plan remains the same: Barcola plus one. The identity of that “one” is what has suddenly become intriguing.

Sarr in demand as Palace dig in

Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr is firmly on Liverpool’s radar. Turkish journalist Nevzat Dindar revealed at the weekend that Liverpool are “interested” in the Senegal international, who is also the subject of a major push from Galatasaray.

Dindar outlined just how highly Sarr is rated in Istanbul, explaining that Okan Buruk “wants this transfer very much” because of Sarr’s ability to operate across the front line. Galatasaray are described as “extremely serious” about the deal, while Palace are said to be equally determined not to sell.

The player’s stance is different. According to Dindar, Sarr wants to leave and was left out of the Palace squad as a result. That absence has only intensified speculation around his future.

The competition does not end there. Manchester United are also monitoring Sarr’s situation as Galatasaray continue to negotiate with Palace. Club sources indicate Palace want at least £50m to let him go, while the Turkish champions are trying to strike a deal in the £30-43m range.

Liverpool supporters know exactly what Sarr can do. Across his time at Watford and Palace, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists in just 10 appearances against the Reds. For many at Anfield, it would feel far more comfortable to see him terrorising defences in red rather than punishing Liverpool again.

Mbaye remains on the table

If the Sarr chase becomes too complicated or too expensive, Liverpool have another route: Ibrahim Mbaye at Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool have already agreed a five-year contract with the 18-year-old and have held talks with PSG over a transfer. The stumbling block is, once again, the fee. Reports differ on PSG’s valuation, with figures ranging from £43m up to £60m.

Ben Jacobs, speaking on Tuesday, laid out the picture around both Minteh and Mbaye. He revealed Liverpool held talks over Minteh across the weekend and were weighing up whether to go back in one final time.

“If they go to £70m, it’ll be a done deal, according to Brighton sources,” Jacobs said, adding that Liverpool had also discussed the idea of a £65m bid. Any fresh offer, he stressed, would be “almost a final bid” because of the presence of alternatives like Mbaye.

PSG, though, are demanding €70m (£59.8m) for Mbaye – effectively the same level as Minteh. That leaves Liverpool staring at two young wide forwards at roughly identical prices, while still working on the Barcola deal.

The strategy is clear enough. The execution, and the decision over whether it is Sarr, Mbaye or a late twist, will define how Liverpool’s attack looks in the first season after Salah.