Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has issued a direct plea to the club's hierarchy for attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window, with key forward Ismaila Sarr set for a month-long absence due to international commitments.
The AFCON Departure Crisis
The Eagles face a significant challenge in their frontline as Ismaila Sarr will join Senegal's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which commences in Morocco on December 21. The tournament could see the influential attacker miss up to four weeks of crucial Premier League action.
When questioned about the necessity of bringing in a new forward, Glasner responded emphatically: "I think we need to. Ismaila Sarr will also leave us, he's the only player who makes runs in behind, who tests the profile."
The Austrian manager highlighted the specific qualities Palace will lack during Sarr's absence, noting: "So maybe, I think we just have to have this profile again because also the other players on the bench, they are a different profile and we need players to stretch the defence and I hope that we will get it done."
Sarr's Impact and Potential Replacements
Sarr's importance to the Crystal Palace setup cannot be overstated. The Senegalese international has scored 10 goals for club and country this season, including an impressive tally of four goals in three appearances against Liverpool.
The potential void left by Sarr's departure has already sparked transfer speculation, with Newcastle's former Arsenal midfielder Danny Willock reportedly identified as a potential target for a return to London.
Glasner left no doubt about the significance of securing attacking reinforcements when asked if a new striker was essential for Palace to remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions during the second half of the season. His response was a simple but telling: "Yes".
Contract Concerns and Festive Fixture Congestion
The transfer demands come against a backdrop of uncertainty at Selhurst Park. Glasner had previously expressed public dissatisfaction with Palace's late business in the summer 2024 transfer window, and now faces the potential departure of captain Marc Guehi at season's end.
Adding to the club's concerns, Glasner himself will be out of contract and likely to attract interest from other clubs if he cannot agree an extension with Palace.
The immediate challenge involves navigating a packed December schedule featuring eight matches across three competitions. The fixture list includes a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal, now rescheduled to Tuesday, December 23.
Glasner acknowledged the scheduling impact on family celebrations, stating: "It's moved from 24th to 23rd. That means all the players can celebrate Christmas with their families because everybody gets off 24th and 25th."
The manager revealed his own personal challenge, admitting: "But no time for Christmas shopping. So fortunately I get all the support from my wife, she's responsible for all this stuff... I have to find one for my wife because she can't buy the gift for herself or she shouldn't."
Glasner plans to fly to Austria on Christmas Eve morning to celebrate with his family, following the crucial fixture against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side.
Palace's immediate focus turns to Sunday's Premier League encounter against Manchester United at Selhurst Park, before embarking on their demanding December programme that will test the squad's depth and resilience.
