Liverpool Faces Setback in Ismaïla Sarr Pursuit as Salah Successor Search Continues

Liverpool’s search for a right‑winger has run straight into a brick wall at Selhurst Park.

The club sounded out Crystal Palace over Ismaïla Sarr as they step up efforts to bring in cover — and potentially a long‑term successor — for Mohamed Salah before the window shuts. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Reds even tabled a bid of €58.4 million for the winger. The Athletic, though, has reported a different picture, insisting no formal offer was lodged.

What is not in dispute is Liverpool’s interest. They asked the question. Palace gave a blunt reply: Sarr is not for sale.

Palace Stand Firm as Market Heats Up

Galatasaray had already tested Palace’s resolve earlier in the summer. Twice they came in for Sarr. Twice they were sent away with nothing, and there’s little expectation in Istanbul that a third, improved offer will arrive.

Liverpool have now felt the same resistance. Palace know exactly what they have: a 28‑year‑old forward with 116 Premier League appearances and a starring role in their Europa Conference League triumph. Twenty‑one goals in that campaign underlined his status as the club’s attacking talisman. Interest from bigger clubs was always coming; Palace look determined to dictate the terms.

A Complicated Summer at Anfield

This has been a messy, stop‑start window for Liverpool in their hunt for a right‑sided attacker.

Andoni Iraola’s side had first turned towards Yankuba Minteh, only to walk away when Brighton’s demands went through the roof. The Seagulls were understood to be seeking around €90 million for the winger — a figure that effectively shut the door and forced Liverpool to re‑draw their shortlist.

The focus then shifted. Sarr moved to the top of the pile, at least in terms of enquiries, while another name has been heavily discussed behind the scenes: PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye.

At the same time, Liverpool are also in talks to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG. The French international prefers to operate from the left, which would give Iraola a different profile of wide option to balance the attack rather than a like‑for‑like Salah replacement.

Clock Ticking, Questions Growing

So Liverpool find themselves here: one major right‑wing target priced out, another shut down by a club unwilling to sell, and negotiations ongoing for a left‑sided forward.

The need is obvious. The options are narrowing. With the window closing in, the next move from Anfield will say a lot about how bold they really are in reshaping life after Salah.