Liverpool pivot to Sarr as Brighton turn down Minteh bids
The Anfield club has shifted its focus to Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr after two offers for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh were rejected, with a second signing also under consideration before Tuesday’s deadline.
Liverpool have redirected their transfer strategy towards Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr following the rejection of two bids for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh. The Anfield club had submitted offers of £50m and £60m for the 22-year-old Minteh, both of which were turned down by Brighton. With the Minteh deal now stalled, Liverpool has turned its attention to Sarr, who contributed 21 goals for Palace during the previous season.
While sources have indicated to BBC Sport that a bid for Sarr has been made, both Liverpool and Crystal Palace have publicly denied this. The uncertainty reflects the broader complexity of the current transfer market, where official statements often lag behind reported movements. Sarr, a right-sided winger with 81 caps and 23 goals for Senegal, remains under contract with Palace for three more years, a factor that Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage cited as a reason to expect his retention.
Sage acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining focus when interest from other clubs is present, noting that Sarr is currently injured. The manager suggested a potential link between the player’s physical condition and the transfer situation, though he maintained that Sarr remains an honest and committed member of the squad. Sage stated that the club’s immediate priority is to get the winger back on the pitch as quickly as possible, regardless of the external noise.
Liverpool is not limiting its search to a single target as it aims to secure two wide attackers before Tuesday’s transfer deadline. Talks are continuing with Paris St-Germain regarding France winger Bradley Barcola, who would represent a significant financial commitment for the club. The Anfield side is assessing all available options to address its squad depth, with the Barcola deal potentially becoming its third signing in the £100m range.
The situation at Crystal Palace is further complicated by the ongoing contractual dispute involving Jean-Philippe Mateta. The 29-year-old striker is arguing that the final year of his contract should be ruled invalid, a case that has been heard by a Premier League independent tribunal after Fifa determined it was outside its jurisdiction. Despite the legal review, Mateta remains a Palace player, and Sage expressed confidence in his commitment to the club.
As the deadline approaches, Liverpool’s ability to finalise deals will depend on navigating these competing interests and contractual nuances. The rejection of the Minteh bids has forced a rapid reassessment of priorities, placing Sarr and Barcola at the centre of the club’s remaining transfer activity.
