Liverpool turn attention to Sarr after Brighton reject Minteh bids
August 26, 2026 17:42
Liverpool have shifted their recruitment focus to Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr after Brighton rejected two offers for Yankuba Minteh. BBC Sport reports that Liverpool had bids of £50m and £60m for the 22-year-old Minteh turned down by Brighton.
The club are said to have made an approach for Sarr, who scored 21 goals for Palace last season, but both Liverpool and Crystal Palace have denied that a formal bid was submitted. Palace manager Pierre Sage says the club are not looking to sell Sarr this summer and that the player remains under contract.
KEY CONTEXT
- Minteh, 22, was the subject of the two reported offers from Liverpool, which Brighton declined.
- Ismaila Sarr is a right-sided winger with Premier League experience; he scored 21 goals last season for Palace and the article’s image caption records him with 81 caps and 23 goals for Senegal.
- Palace were recently linked with interest in Sarr from Galatasaray.
- Liverpool are simultaneously in talks with Paris St-Germain over Bradley Barcola as they hunt for wide players before the transfer window shuts.
- Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is involved in a contractual dispute: he and his advisers argue the final year of his deal is invalid, a case FIFA said was outside its jurisdiction and which is being considered by a Premier League independent tribunal.
WHY IT MATTERS
Liverpool enter the final days of the transfer window seeking wide attacking reinforcements; the club want to complete two signings before the deadline. Brighton’s rejection of sizable bids for Minteh has forced Liverpool to broaden their options, making moves for established Premier League wingers — like Sarr — and targets abroad (Barcola) consequential to their short-term squad planning.
For Palace, retaining Sarr would preserve a key attacking outlet after a 21-goal season, while the Mateta contractual dispute adds off-field uncertainty about the striker’s future and squad stability.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Palace will accept any offer for Sarr before the transfer deadline and if Liverpool will press further after denials from both clubs.
- Progress in Liverpool’s talks with Paris St-Germain over Bradley Barcola.
- The outcome of the Premier League independent tribunal examining Jean-Philippe Mateta’s contractual argument, after FIFA said it had no jurisdiction.
- Any late bids for Yankuba Minteh following Brighton’s initial rejections.
KEY FACTS
- Liverpool had offers of £50m and £60m for Yankuba Minteh refused by Brighton.
- Ismaila Sarr scored 21 goals for Crystal Palace last season; image caption notes 81 caps and 23 goals for Senegal.
- BBC Sport was told a Liverpool bid for Sarr had been made; Liverpool and Crystal Palace deny that.
- Liverpool are also pursuing Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and want two signings before the transfer window closes.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta is contesting the validity of the final year of his Palace contract; FIFA said it is not in its jurisdiction and a Premier League tribunal has considered the case.