Ismaila Sarr has reportedly told Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish that he wants to join Liverpool before the transfer window closes. The Senegalese winger has made his position clear to the Palace hierarchy, according to Foot Mercato, expressing his wish to leave Selhurst Park and sign for the Reds.
Sarr's desire to join Liverpool
The 28-year-old is understood to be 'waiting' for a deal to be struck with Liverpool, with the Merseyside club viewing him as a replacement for Cody Gakpo, who is facing a controversial switch to Manchester City worth around £85m. Alex Crook has claimed Sarr is pushing for Palace to sell him.
Liverpool are in a race against time to add reinforcements before the market closes on September 1. Bradley Barcola is edging closer to completing his move from Paris Saint-Germain, with the Frenchman on Merseyside formalising his £123m transfer.
Palace reject opening bid
Last Wednesday, reports emerged that Palace had knocked back an opening £50m offer from Liverpool for Sarr, who netted 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions for the Eagles last season. He has even confided in those closest to him that the 'beautiful history' between Senegal and Liverpool must continue.
Sarr has been absent from both of Palace's opening Premier League fixtures against Everton and Manchester City, and is now hoping to complete this 'major' step in his career by securing a move to Liverpool.
Manager plays down speculation
Despite Sarr's eagerness to join the Reds, Palace manager Pierre Sage appeared to dismiss speculation surrounding the winger's future at a Thursday press conference, insisting his absence is due to injury. Sage said: "I understand for everybody that you have this kind of contact, it's difficult because you hesitate a lot, but, for the moment, he's with us.
"He is under contract [until 2029], as I told you. He's injured and, maybe you can make a link between his injury and the situation, but for me, he's honest, and I have no problem with that. I spoke with him [Thursday] morning about that, [Wednesday] about that too, and we just want him on the pitch."
