Liverpool's Fresh Sarr Bid Collides With Crystal Palace's Public Denial

Liverpool are preparing to submit a new offer for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, just two days after Palace manager Pierre Sage publicly stated he expects the Senegal international to stay at Selhurst Park Pierre Sage's comments on Sarr's future.

That contradiction is the story here. Either Liverpool are wasting their time on a player Palace won't sell, or Sage's confidence is about to be tested by a club willing to keep coming back to the table. Adding a further layer of intrigue, Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, ready to swoop if the Anfield move stalls reports on Liverpool's new Sarr proposal.

The New Proposal: What's Actually Being Reported

The latest twist comes from Tavolieri, who posted on social media that Liverpool are "making another push" for the 27-year-old and are preparing fresh paperwork for Palace's board new Ismaila Sarr transfer proposal report.

"Liverpool are making another push for Ismaïla Sarr! The Reds are preparing to submit a new proposal to Crystal Palace for the Senegalese winger. Al Ittihad are closely monitoring the situation and could take advantage of the opening if the deal falls through." Sacha Tavolieri, via CaughtOffside

Why Sarr Fits The Rebuild

It's easy to see why Liverpool keep returning. Sarr enjoyed a career-best 2025/26 campaign, scoring 21 goals in all competitions as Palace won the Europa Conference League Sarr's 2025/26 numbers and Conference League triumph. For a Liverpool side reshaping its front line, that kind of output from a wide forward is difficult to ignore.

Palace's Public Stance vs Liverpool's Private Push

Here's the awkward part for anyone trying to price this move: Palace's own manager has already gone on record this week saying Sarr isn't leaving. Sage told reporters he expects the winger to stay at Selhurst Park despite the ongoing Liverpool interest Sage's expectation that Sarr remains at Palace.

Two Narratives, One Player

That leaves supporters and bettors with two competing storylines running in parallel:

• Palace's version: The manager expects his best attacking player to stay, suggesting no agreement is close.
• Liverpool's version: A fresh proposal is being drawn up regardless, implying Anfield sees room to change Palace's mind, or at least their price.

Managers denying imminent departures is hardly new in the transfer window, and public reassurance to a dressing room or fanbase doesn't always match boardroom activity. But there's no confirmed reporting yet that Palace's stance has softened, which is why this should be treated as an unresolved tug-of-war rather than a done deal.

The Barcola-Gakpo Domino Effect

Sarr isn't an isolated transfer target. Liverpool have reportedly already agreed a deal to sign Bradley Barcola, which changes the maths on any Sarr move considerably ESPN's report on Liverpool eyeing Sarr after the Barcola deal.

Why Gakpo Becomes The Makeweight

Adding both Barcola and Sarr to an attack that already includes established options would leave Liverpool's front line badly overcrowded. That's where Cody Gakpo comes in. With Tottenham being strongly linked as a potential destination, Gakpo increasingly looks like the outgoing piece that would need to move for the incoming puzzle to fit Transfer Talk update linking Gakpo with a Tottenham exit.

Gakpo has had his moments in a Liverpool shirt, but he hasn't quite kicked on to the level many expected when he arrived. If Sarr and Barcola both land at Anfield, most fans would likely view that pairing as a clear upgrade, even at Gakpo's expense.

Al Ittihad's Saudi Leverage

The Saudi Pro League's financial muscle remains the wildcard in this saga. Al Ittihad are reportedly "closely monitoring" the Sarr situation and could move quickly if Liverpool's proposal doesn't satisfy Palace Al Ittihad's interest in Sarr as a contingency.

A Pressure Valve On Valuation

That interest matters beyond simply offering Sarr an alternative destination. Knowing a cash-rich Saudi club is waiting in the wings gives Palace leverage to hold firm on their asking price, or to walk away from Liverpool's terms entirely if they fall short. It also means Liverpool can't afford to dawdle if they genuinely want a top-of-market fee to be enough.

What Happens Next

Nothing here is close to confirmed. Liverpool are said to be preparing a new proposal, Palace's manager says the player stays, and Al Ittihad are watching from the sidelines with Saudi money on standby. Those three facts

Watch for two things before the transfer deadline: whether Liverpool's new bid actually lands at Selhurst Park in a form Palace considers serious, and whether Tottenham's interest in Gakpo firms up into an actual approach. If both move quickly, the Barcola-Sarr-Gakpo chain could resolve inside days. If Palace's resolve holds and Al Ittihad tables genuine money, Liverpool may find themselves priced out of a domino they can't afford to leave incomplete.