Crystal Palace winger Ismaïla Sarr was open to a move to Liverpool this summer, with the 28-year-old reportedly keen on the possibility of heading to Anfield.
Liverpool explored a late-window deal for Sarr as they looked to strengthen their wide options following Mohamed Salah’s departure. Victor Muñoz and Bradley Barcola were also considered.
But there was a major stumbling block: Liverpool’s offer fell well short of Palace’s valuation, and the Eagles had little interest in selling one of their key players so close to deadline day.
Sarr had just enjoyed a huge campaign for Palace, finishing as the club’s leading scorer with 21 goals in 45 appearances, while helping them lift the Community Shield and Conference League.
Palace chairman Steve Parish has now revealed that the situation could have been very different under the right circumstances.
“You could understand Ismaila would have liked to go,” Parish told The Athletic. “If it wasn’t five days before the end of the window and the money was right, then we would have tried to facilitate it.”
Parish also made Liverpool’s valuation clear, saying the club “couldn’t seriously think” their bid would be enough to get the deal done.
👀 And Liverpool fans are already reacting…
🔴 “So Sarr actually wanted Liverpool? That changes everything.”
🔴 “21 goals last season and Palace weren’t going to let him go cheaply.”
🔴 “Imagine Sarr on the wing at Anfield… that would’ve been interesting.”
🔴 “Liverpool leaving it this late made the deal almost impossible.”
For now, Sarr remains a Palace player — but the revelation that he wanted the Liverpool move adds a fascinating twist to the failed transfer saga.