Liverpool's Renewed Push for Ismaila Sarr Amid Transfer Tensions

Liverpool refuse to walk away from Ismaila Sarr. Not yet.

With the window ticking towards its final week and one winger target already slipping towards Aston Villa, Fenway Sports Group are preparing a fresh push to prise Sarr from Crystal Palace, keeping Liverpool’s wide attacking plans firmly on the boil.

Liverpool circle back for Sarr

Sarr has moved rapidly up Liverpool’s list of priorities. The Reds have already tested Palace’s resolve with an offer of £50 million, as reported by The Mirror on August 26, and the Senegal international is understood to be keen on a switch to Anfield before the deadline.

Palace’s response was blunt. Fabrizio Romano revealed that the London club rejected the bid and that their current “plan” is to keep the 28-year-old, who has become a central figure at Selhurst Park.

Liverpool, though, are not retreating. The pressure is about to rise again.

At 3:04pm on August 28, Sky Sport Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on X that Liverpool are “making another push for Ismaila Sarr,” with a new proposal being prepared for Palace. The message was clear: the first bid was an opening gambit, not a final offer.

There is another twist. Tavolieri also noted that Al Ittihad are closely tracking the situation and could pounce if negotiations between Liverpool and Palace collapse. One misstep from Anfield, and the Saudi Pro League could move straight into the gap.

After Minteh setback, focus sharpens

Liverpool’s move for Sarr only came into sharp focus after a separate chase began to stall.

Before turning to the Palace winger, the club went hard for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh. Brighton’s valuation, around £70m, set a high bar. Liverpool submitted two bids, both short of that figure, and the south-coast club held their ground. No agreement, no breakthrough.

So the search swung back to a more attainable, Premier League-proven profile. Sarr fit the brief: pace, experience, and a player open to the move.

The dynamic is simple. Liverpool want him. Palace want to keep him. Al Ittihad are lurking. Something has to give.

Mbaye slips away to Villa

While Liverpool push on one front, another door has quietly closed.

Before Minteh and Sarr, the club explored a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18-year-old was on the radar, but PSG’s £60m valuation pushed Liverpool away. For a teenager still at the start of his senior career, the price proved too steep for FSG.

Aston Villa had fewer reservations.

At 4:10pm on August 28, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Villa have reached an agreement in principle with PSG to sign Mbaye, with the deal being finalised at €55m. The relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris has been described as key in driving the move towards completion.

Liverpool watch that one go. Another winger, another opportunity, gone to a direct Premier League rival with Champions League ambitions of their own.

So the picture is clear. Mbaye is heading to Villa. Minteh remains at Brighton for now. Sarr has become the live target, with Liverpool readying a second bid and Palace braced for another knock on the door.

With Al Ittihad waiting in the shadows and the window closing fast, Liverpool’s next offer for Sarr will say a lot about how badly they want – and need – that extra weapon out wide.