Ismaila Sarr Transfer: Fabrizio Romano and the Athletic Can't Agree if Liverpool's £50M Bid Even Exists

Liverpool's pursuit of Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr has sparked conflicting reports over whether a £50million bid was ever made, with Fabrizio Romano insisting Liverpool tabled the offer and reporting that talks took place without a formal proposal.

Liverpool have confirmed they contacted Palace about a possible deal, but neither club has publicly said a £50m bid exists. Liverpool confirmed they contacted Palace about a possible transfer. Palace want to keep Sarr as the winger has three years left on his contract and remains sidelined through injury.

Romano Reports £50m Offer and Rejection

Romano reported on Wednesday that Liverpool had opened talks for Sarr after their pursuit of Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh stalled. He said Liverpool sent Palace a proposal worth around £50m and that Sarr was interested in the move.

Romano later said Palace rejected the offer. He added that the London club wanted to keep Sarr after turning down two approaches from Galatasaray.

The Athletic presented a different account later that day. Reporters Gregg Evans, David Ornstein and Matt Woosnam said Liverpool discussed a move for the 28-year-old but that those talks did not produce a bid.

Their report said only an 'astronomical' offer would change Palace's position. Liverpool also appeared unlikely to push further while they explored other attacking options.

Liverpool Approach Agreed, Bid Still in Doubt

A British broadcaster also reported that Liverpool had approached Palace over a possible deal. Its report did not state that a £50m bid had been submitted and described Sarr as not for sale.

That makes Liverpool's approach the clearest point of agreement between the competing reports. Neither Liverpool nor Crystal Palace has publicly confirmed that a formal £50m offer was lodged.

Palace manager Pierre Sage also addressed Sarr's situation on Wednesday. He said the winger remained under contract and described him as honest when discussing the transfer speculation.

Sage said Sarr was injured and that Palace wanted him back on the pitch. The winger missed Palace's opening Premier League defeat at Everton after reporting a groin problem.

Reports had suggested Sarr was refusing to train amid interest from Galatasaray. However, the British broadcaster said he was injured. Sage also said he had no issue with the player's conduct.

Sage indicated that he expected Sarr to remain at Palace. That stance matches the club's reported position that it has no intention of selling him at this stage of the window.

Sarr's Palace Form Underpins Not-For-Sale Stance

Sarr's recent Palace record helps explain that position. Since arriving from Marseille in 2024, he has scored 33 goals in 92 appearances, including 21 last season.

He also contributed during Palace's FA Cup and Conference League-winning campaigns. Those performances have increased his importance to the squad as the club resists late-window interest.

Liverpool's Winger Search Nears Deadline

Liverpool's interest in Sarr emerged after negotiations for Minteh stopped progressing. Brighton rejected two Liverpool offers for the Gambian international, the latest worth £60m.

Reports said Brighton were holding out for £80m. Liverpool then began assessing alternatives as they continued searching for another wide attacker.

Sarr became one of those options. Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has also been linked with Liverpool. The club is still considering possible reinforcements before the deadline.

The conflicting Sarr reports leave the £50m figure unresolved. Romano's account says Palace received and rejected the offer, while The Athletic says discussions ended before Liverpool submitted one.

Palace's position is less disputed. The club considers Sarr not for sale. Liverpool must now decide whether to make another move before the Premier League transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on Tuesday 1 September.