Liverpool's top target 'pushing' to join before Deadline Day

Updated: 31 Aug 2026 10:31 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr has urged the club to sell him to Liverpool before the summer transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on Tuesday 1 September.

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The Senegal international has been excluded from Palace’s matchday squad for their opening two fixtures of the new Premier League season and he is desperate to finalise a move to Anfield ahead of Transfer Deadline Day.

Current ETV

Ismaïla Sarr

F, M (R)

C. Palace

Ismaïla Sarr

F, M (R)

C. Palace

ETV Range

€30.3M - €37M

Sarr scored 21 goals in 45 games across all competitions last season and he has emerged as Liverpool’s top target for the right winger position, with a possible deal for Brighton & Hove Albion star Yankuba Minteh stalling in recent days.

The 28-year-old’s current contract at Selhurst Park isn’t due to expire until 2029, but he is “pushing” the club to sell him to Liverpool before the end of Deadline Day, according to transfer reporter Alex Crook.

Sarr has emerged as Liverpool’s preferred replacement for Cody Gakpo, who is edging closer to joining Manchester City, and the Senegal attacker has asked Palace to sanction a sale, despite their reluctance to offload him.

Sarr has deleted any mention of Crystal Palace from his official Instagram profile, with him in a Senegal shirt the only picture left on his account.

FootballTransfers has been told that Chelsea winger Pedro Neto is also on Liverpool’s radar, with the club opening talks with his representatives to gauge the possibility of a blockbuster transfer before the summer window closes.

© IMAGO - Ismaila Sarr wants to join Liverpool

Liverpool to announce Bradley Barcola

Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to formally announce the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal that could reach €145 million if add-ons are met.

The France international underwent a medical on Sunday and he is expected to be formally unveiled as the club’s fifth signing of the summer window shortly.

Barcola is set to be deployed as Liverpool’s new first-choice left winger upon his arrival at the club, with Rio Ngumoha likely to be his back-up and Victor Munoz and Sarr, if Palace agree to a sale, expected to battle for a starting berth on the right flank.

Meanwhile, the Reds have also reached a verbal agreement to sign 18-year-old Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans in a deal worth €35m. He is expected to join the club in 2027.