Liverpool Clears Path for Cody Gakpo Replacement Move

Sarr’s Preference for Liverpool Indicated

Throughout August, Liverpool has been focused on acquiring a right winger. The club has found it difficult to secure Yankuba Minteh from Brighton, while other transfer targets have faded as the window progresses.

Progress has been made on other fronts, with Bradley Barcola reportedly undergoing a medical. However, Liverpool continues to seek an additional player who can play effectively on the right.

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Foot Mercato states that Sarr is keen on a transfer to Liverpool.

The 28-year-old has conveyed his wish to Parish and is now awaiting negotiations between the clubs. He has also mentioned to those close to him the significance of maintaining the connection between Senegalese players and Liverpool, reminiscent of figures like El Hadji Diouf and the more recent Sadio Mané.

While Sarr’s stance could provide optimism for Liverpool, Crystal Palace retains contractual control over the situation.

Photo: IMAGO

Crystal Palace Maintains Strong Negotiating Power

Palace acquired Sarr from Marseille in 2024 for a reported fee of £12.5 million following Michael Olise’s transfer to Bayern Munich.

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Since then, his market value has surged significantly.

Sarr netted 21 goals in all competitions during the 2025-26 season, equaling Palace’s record for the best individual scoring return since the Premier League’s inception. Additionally, he led the Conference League in scoring with nine goals before contributing four more at the World Cup.

Over his Premier League career, he has tallied 27 goals and 16 assists in 116 appearances with Watford and Palace.

Liverpool has firsthand experience of his capabilities; Sarr has scored seven goals and provided two assists in ten matches against the Reds, a statistic that surely attracts Liverpool’s scouting team.

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Liverpool Faces High Transfer Fee for Sarr

On August 26, Liverpool reportedly made a £50 million bid for Sarr, which Crystal Palace rejected.

Palace is said to seek at least €60 million and has turned away proposals from Galatasaray. Clubs from the Saudi Pro League have also been informed of Sarr’s availability.

Sarr’s contract extends until June 2029, giving Palace substantial leverage in negotiations. Furthermore, Marseille stands to gain 10 percent of any profit Palace earns from his sale.

A critical factor in this situation involves Palace’s own recruitment plans.

Reports indicate that Palace will not approve Sarr’s exit until they secure a suitable replacement. Quinten Timber is considering a move to Palace from Marseille, and discussions between the clubs are still ongoing.

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Movement on this front could be pivotal for Liverpool.

Palace head coach Pierre Sage has previously voiced his concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the transfer window, as the club looks for clarity ahead of the deadline.

However, Liverpool seems intent on remaining engaged in the situation.

Sarr desires the transfer, and Liverpool has already shown significant interest with their solid bid, while Palace is aware of the player’s intentions.

The next steps may hinge on Liverpool’s willingness to adjust their financial offer.

Our View

This prospective deal boasts several appealing aspects, but it also comes with uncertainties.

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Sarr’s impressive output, with 21 goals last season, merits recognition. His success in European competitions highlights his reliability, and Liverpool fans need no reminder of his prowess, having scored seven times against them in just ten encounters.

His eagerness to join is crucial, as Liverpool prefers players who actively seek to play for them, and Sarr appears determined to make that happen.

My reservations center on the transfer fee and the broader context of player acquisitions.

At 28, Sarr would be brought in to make an immediate impact. If Palace insists on a price significantly above Liverpool’s £50 million offer, the club must carefully consider whether they are securing a player well-suited for their strategy or merely reacting to a pressing situation as the window closes.

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With possible developments regarding Barcola, the dynamics of Liverpool’s attacking options could shift considerably. Nevertheless, questions remain about other areas of the squad.

While Sarr would undoubtedly enhance Liverpool’s attacking capabilities and his Premier League experience eases adaptation concerns, I remain skeptical about whether Liverpool should continue increasing offers irrespective of cost. If Palace becomes realistic in their demands, he could prove to be a valuable acquisition. However, should the asking price climb further, Liverpool must exercise caution to avoid overpaying.

Sarr Makes Liverpool Preference Clear

Liverpool’s pursuit of a right winger has been one of the recurring themes of August. Yankuba Minteh has proved difficult to prise away from Brighton, while other possibilities have fallen away as the transfer window has developed.

Bradley Barcola’s reported arrival for a medical represents significant progress elsewhere in the attack, although Liverpool seemingly remain interested in adding another player capable of operating from the right.

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Foot Mercato report that Sarr wants Liverpool.

The 28 year old is said to have informed Parish of his wish to leave Palace and is now waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement. He has also reportedly spoken to those around him about continuing the connection between Senegalese footballers and Liverpool, following El Hadji Diouf and, more successfully, Sadio Mané.

Sarr’s position potentially gives Liverpool encouragement, although Palace remain in control contractually.

Photo: IMAGO

Crystal Palace Hold Strong Negotiating Position

Palace signed Sarr from Marseille in 2024 for a reported £12.5 million following Michael Olise’s departure to Bayern Munich.

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His value has increased considerably since then.

Sarr scored 21 goals across all competitions during 2025-26, equalling Palace’s best individual scoring return in a season since the Premier League era began. He also finished as the Conference League’s leading scorer with nine goals before scoring four times at the World Cup.

His wider Premier League record stands at 27 goals and 16 assists from 116 appearances for Watford and Palace.

Liverpool have experienced his qualities first hand. Sarr has scored seven goals and provided two assists in ten appearances against the Reds.

That record will certainly have been noticed by Liverpool’s recruitment department.

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Liverpool Face Significant Sarr Transfer Fee

Liverpool reportedly submitted a £50 million bid on 26 August, which Palace rejected.

Palace are understood to want at least €60 million and have already rejected approaches from Galatasaray. Saudi Pro League clubs have also reportedly been made aware of Sarr’s availability.

Sarr remains contracted until June 2029, providing Palace with considerable leverage. Marseille are also entitled to 10 per cent of any profit Palace make from his eventual sale.

Another important element concerns Palace’s own recruitment.

Reports suggest Palace will not sanction Sarr’s departure until they have secured an appropriate replacement. Quinten Timber has decided to join Palace from Marseille, although negotiations between the clubs are still ongoing.

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Any progress there could therefore become significant for Liverpool.

Palace head coach Pierre Sage has already expressed frustration with the uncertainty surrounding the transfer window, with the club understandably eager for clarity before the deadline.

Liverpool, though, appear determined to remain involved.

Sarr reportedly wants the move, Liverpool have already demonstrated their interest with a substantial bid, and Palace know the player’s position.

Whether that becomes enough to unlock negotiations may now depend on Liverpool’s willingness to improve their financial proposal.

Our View

There is plenty about this potential deal that appeals, although I would still approach it with some uncertainty.

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Sarr’s numbers deserve respect. Twenty-one goals last season is an excellent return, his performances in Europe demonstrated his ability to deliver regularly, and Liverpool supporters hardly need reminding how dangerous he can be. Seven goals in ten games against Liverpool provides a fairly compelling scouting reel by itself.

His desire to join also matters. Liverpool want players who actively see Anfield as their destination, and Sarr reportedly appears determined to make the move happen.

My hesitation comes with the price and the wider recruitment picture.

At 28, Sarr would arrive as somebody expected to contribute immediately. If Palace are demanding considerably more than Liverpool’s £50 million offer, the club must decide whether they are buying a player perfectly suited to Iraola’s plans or reacting to a difficult final week of the window.

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The potential arrival of Barcola also makes the calculation interesting. Liverpool could suddenly have considerable pace and variety across the forward line, yet questions remain elsewhere in the squad.

Sarr would undoubtedly improve the attacking options. I can understand why Liverpool want him, and his Premier League experience reduces some of the usual adaptation concerns.

I am simply not convinced that Liverpool should keep increasing the offer regardless of the cost. If Palace become realistic, this could be a very useful signing. If the asking price continues climbing, Liverpool need the discipline to know when enthusiasm becomes overpayment.