Here we go again.
Liverpool are once again trying to do business with Crystal Palace on the final day of the transfer window — and if you’re a Reds supporter, you might be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Crystal Palace are still saying no to the departure of Ismaïla Sarr.
However, Palace are also exploring options in the market in case they receive the right proposal for the Senegal international.
And that leaves Liverpool with a very simple problem.
They need Palace to change their mind.
Palace still saying no
Sarr has emerged as one of Liverpool’s preferred options as the club look to add another attacking player.
Liverpool have already seen an offer rejected and continue to explore a deal.
But Palace’s current position is clear.
They don’t want to lose him.
At least, not unless the right offer arrives.
And that’s where things could get interesting.
Because deadline day has a habit of changing people’s minds very quickly.
Liverpool desperately need another attacker
The timing couldn’t be more important.
Liverpool have already signed Bradley Barcola.
But Cody Gakpo could be heading for Manchester City, while Liverpool are also trying to make sure Iraola has enough attacking options for what promises to be a long season.
If Gakpo does leave, Liverpool absolutely need another player to come through the door.
Sarr would provide versatility, pace and Premier League experience.
He could operate from either flank and give Iraola another option when rotating his attack.
That’s precisely why Liverpool are pushing.
But haven’t we been here before?
This is the part that will frustrate Liverpool supporters.
Crystal Palace.
Liverpool.
Deadline day.
It’s bringing back memories of last summer.
Liverpool spent a huge amount of time trying to sign Marc Guéhi, only for the deal to collapse before the window closed.
It became one of the most frustrating transfer sagas of the summer.
And now, twelve months later, we’re potentially heading towards another deadline-day negotiation involving Palace.
You couldn’t make it up.
The Guéhi saga still hurts
Liverpool supporters will remember how close the club appeared to be to signing Guéhi.
There was plenty of optimism that the England international would eventually arrive at Anfield.
But ultimately, the deal didn’t happen.
And Liverpool were left without the player they had targeted.
That’s why supporters are understandably nervous about another Palace negotiation going down to the wire.
Nobody wants another situation where Liverpool spend deadline day trying to negotiate a deal, only for Palace to ultimately refuse to sell.
Palace have the advantage
The problem for Liverpool is that Palace don’t necessarily have to sell.
If they receive an offer they consider too low, they can simply say no.
And with Sarr under contract, Liverpool don’t have the leverage they might want.
Palace are also reportedly exploring their own options.
That is the interesting part of Romano’s update.
If Palace are looking for a replacement, perhaps there is a possibility that Liverpool’s interest eventually becomes useful to them.
But until Palace find that replacement — or decide that Liverpool’s offer is simply too good to refuse — the situation remains uncertain.
Deadline day pressure
This is where Liverpool need to be careful.
The clock is ticking.
There isn’t much time left to negotiate.
Liverpool can’t afford to spend the entire day chasing one player if Palace ultimately refuse to sell.
They need alternatives.
And hopefully Richard Hughes and the recruitment team already have them lined up.
Because the worst possible scenario would be losing Gakpo and failing to bring in another attacker because Liverpool spent too long waiting for Palace.
Sarr would make sense
Despite all the frustration, I can understand why Liverpool want him.
Sarr has Premier League experience.
He’s quick.
He’s powerful.
He’s versatile.
And he has a ridiculous record against Liverpool.
Seven goals and two assists in 10 appearances against the Reds is certainly enough to make Liverpool fans aware of what he’s capable of.
I’d much rather have him doing that for Liverpool than against us.
My verdict
This could become one of the biggest stories of Liverpool’s deadline day.
Palace are saying no.
But they’re also exploring the market.
That suggests the door isn’t completely closed.
If Liverpool make an offer that Palace simply cannot refuse, perhaps Sarr will be allowed to leave.
But we’ve been here before.
Last summer it was Guéhi.
Now it’s Sarr.
And once again, Liverpool are dealing with Steve Parish and Crystal Palace on the final day of the transfer window.
What could possibly go wrong?
Hopefully, this time the ending is very different.
Because Liverpool need another attacker.
They need more depth.
And with Gakpo potentially leaving for Manchester City, Iraola simply cannot afford to start the season with fewer options.
Get Sarr. Get another attacker. Strengthen the squad.
Just please don’t give us another Palace deadline-day disaster.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Put yourself in Palace’s shoes!
Who’s gonna provide a replacement threat for them up front at this late stage of the window?
What good is £50mil sitting in the bank until January going to do?
It’s not going to return any goals is it?
Sarr has 3 years left on his contract so Palace can be forgiven for not unearthing his back-up just yet.
Makes no sense to Palace to sanction this transfer at this present stage of the season.