Liverpool eye Ismaila Sarr but face hurdles as deadline looms

Liverpool have checked on a deal for Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr on 26 August 2026, but have not yet made an offer and no fee has been disclosed. The Anfield club are assessing different opportunities as they aim to add two attacking players before Tuesday.

Liverpool’s summer targets

Sarr brings a proven Premier League track record, which fits Liverpool’s desire for immediate quality up front. At 28 he is older than the club’s usual targets, yet the Anfield side remains open to a variety of options.

Talks are also ongoing for Paris Saint‑Germain’s Bradley Barcola, while discussions for Brighton’s Gambia international Yankuba Minteh have proved difficult, with the player valued at £80m after Liverpool initially expected offers around £50m.

Galatasaray submitted an offer of around £35m which Crystal Palace rejected last week, and Al Hilal have also shown interest. Palace’s priority is securing a quality replacement before any sale, and they will not proceed without one in place.

The club also anticipates further interest from Aston Villa and Juventus for Jean‑Philippe Mateta, adding another layer to the summer market dynamics. If Palace cannot line up a replacement, Sarr is likely to remain in south London, while Liverpool may need to pivot to other targets to meet their Tuesday deadline.