Liverpool Prepares New Bid for Ismaila Sarr as Aston Villa Nears Ibrahim Mbaye Deal

Liverpool’s search for a new winger is turning into a late-window scramble – and they are not walking away from Ismaila Sarr just yet.

Crystal Palace have already knocked back an opening offer from Anfield, but Liverpool are preparing to return with a fresh bid for the 28-year-old Senegal star, according to multiple reports.

On August 26, The Mirror revealed that Liverpool had tabled a £50million proposal for Sarr, describing the winger as “keen on a move to Anfield” before the window shuts next week. Palace, though, stood firm. Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano stated that the London club rejected the offer and that their plan is to keep Sarr.

Liverpool, it seems, are not taking no for an answer.

At 3:04pm on August 28, Sky Sport Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri posted on X that “Liverpool are making another push for Ismaila Sarr,” adding that the Reds are “preparing to submit a new proposal” to Crystal Palace. He also noted that Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad are closely watching developments and could move if Liverpool’s pursuit collapses.

The chase for Sarr comes after Liverpool failed to land another wide option, Brighton and Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh. Brighton are holding out for around £70m, while Liverpool’s two bids have fallen short of that valuation, leaving talks at an impasse and forcing the Merseyside club to pivot.

Villa steal a march with Mbaye

While Liverpool circle back to Sarr, one of their earlier targets is heading elsewhere.

Before focusing on Minteh and Sarr, Liverpool explored a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. PSG’s £60m asking price pushed Fenway Sports Group away from the table, and that hesitation has opened the door for Aston Villa.

By late afternoon on August 28, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Villa had reached an agreement in principle with PSG to sign the 18-year-old. Posting on X at 4:10pm, Ornstein said the move for the teenager is in the process of being finalised for around €55m, highlighting the relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris as key to driving the deal towards completion.

So Liverpool press on with Sarr, Brighton hold firm on Minteh, and Mbaye heads for Birmingham. With the window closing in a matter of days, the next bid out of Anfield will say plenty about how bold FSG are willing to be in reshaping Jürgen Klopp’s attack.