Liverpool Face Deadline-Day Decision as Ismaïla Sarr Pushes for Anfield Move
Crystal Palace winger Ismaïla Sarr is reportedly desperate to complete a move to Liverpool before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night.
Liverpool have already completed the blockbuster signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, with the overall package potentially reaching £123 million. However, the Reds had been considering bringing in another attacking player before the deadline.
A further addition would have opened the door for Cody Gakpo to leave Liverpool for Manchester City, with talks between the two sides reportedly progressing. However, Liverpool decided on Monday night that Gakpo would remain at Anfield after failing to secure a suitable replacement.
Among the players Liverpool explored as potential replacements were Sarr and Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh. But with negotiations failing to produce an agreement for either player, the club now appear increasingly prepared to keep their current options.
Gakpo is reportedly comfortable staying at Liverpool despite interest from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. The Dutch forward has also started the campaign strongly, registering a goal and an assist in his first two Premier League appearances.
However, Sarr is continuing to push for a transfer to Anfield.
French journalist Fabrice Hawkins reported that Crystal Palace rejected Liverpool’s second offer for the Senegal international on Monday. Despite that setback, Sarr remains determined to force through the move before the deadline.
The 28-year-old is reportedly so eager to join Liverpool that he is expected to refuse to train with Palace on Tuesday as he attempts to put further pressure on the club to sanction his departure.
Liverpool must now decide whether to make another push for Sarr or stick with Gakpo and the attacking options already available to Andoni Iraola.
With Gakpo performing well and Liverpool unwilling to overpay for a replacement, keeping the Dutchman could ultimately prove to be the more sensible decision.
For Sarr, however, the next few hours could be crucial as he continues to push for his dream move to Anfield.
