Liverpool have widened their search for reinforcements out wide, turning their attention to Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr after seeing two bids for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh knocked back.
The Reds tabled offers of £50m and £60m for the Gambia international winger, only for Brighton to reject both as they continue their hunt for an attacking successor to the departed Mohamed Salah. With that route seemingly blocked for now, Liverpool have shifted focus toward Sarr, a 21-goal contributor for Palace last season who, like Minteh, operates predominantly on the right flank and boasts Premier League pedigree.
While some reports suggest a formal bid has already been lodged for the Senegal international, both Liverpool and Crystal Palace have denied any such offer has been made. What is clear, however, is that Palace have no intention of parting with their prized attacker this summer, having already fended off interest from Turkish side Galatasaray in recent weeks.
Sarr's absence from Palace's Premier League opener against Everton fuelled speculation about his future, though manager Pierre Sage insisted the player was simply carrying an injury. Asked whether he expected Sarr to remain at Selhurst Park, Sage struck a confident tone.
"For the moment, yes, because when you have three years on the contract it is not easy to leave," Sage said.
Pressed further on whether Liverpool had made contact regarding his forward, the Palace boss acknowledged the difficulty such interest can create for a player, while backing Sarr's professionalism throughout the saga.
"I understand that for everybody to have this kind of contact [from another club] is difficult, because you hesitate a lot. But for the moment, he is with us. He is under contract," Sage explained. "He is injured and maybe you can make a link between his injury and the situation. But for me, he is honest and I have no problem with that. We just want him on the pitch as quickly as possible."
Sarr's connection with Liverpool stretches back to 2020, when the two clubs were previously linked before the Merseyside outfit opted to sign Diogo Jota instead. The 27-year-old has since built a reputation as a thorn in Liverpool's side, netting four times against them last season alone — including a strike in the Community Shield and a brace during a Carabao Cup meeting at Anfield.
Liverpool's pursuit of new wide options has been an ongoing saga throughout the window. Beyond the failed Minteh bids, the club also had a €100m package rejected in their attempt to sign Yan Diomande, who instead completed a move from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid. Discussions remain active over a potential deal for Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, though the French club's valuation has so far proven too steep for Liverpool's liking.
In the meantime, academy graduate Rio Ngumoha has been given the opportunity to fill the void left by Salah on the right wing, starting the season in that role. Summer arrival Victor Munoz also made a mark off the bench during Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Newcastle, winning a penalty in the closing stages that Dominik Szoboszlai converted.
With Tuesday's transfer deadline fast approaching, Liverpool are understood to be assessing every avenue available as they push to complete two more attacking signings before the window shuts.
Based on reporting from The Independent and BBC Sport.