Liverpool Pursues Ismaila Sarr as Aston Villa Secures Ibrahim Mbaye

Liverpool are readying a fresh move for Ismaila Sarr as Fenway Sports Group scramble to land a winger before the window shuts – with another target now heading to Aston Villa.

The Crystal Palace wide man has climbed to the top of Liverpool’s attacking shortlist after a flurry of failed pursuits. A first offer, worth £50million and lodged on August 26 according to The Mirror, has already been knocked back by Palace, who are determined to keep the 28-year-old Senegal international.

Sarr, for his part, is understood to be keen on a switch to Anfield before the deadline, and Liverpool are refusing to walk away.

Their opening bid came after Liverpool tried and failed to strike a deal with Brighton and Hove Albion for Yankuba Minteh. Brighton value the winger at around £70m, and Liverpool’s two proposals fell short of that figure, leaving negotiations stuck.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported that Palace rejected Liverpool’s £50m move for Sarr, stressing that the London club’s plan is to keep him. That stance has not scared Liverpool off.

The chase is now accelerating.

At 3:04pm on August 28, Sky Sport Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri posted on X that Liverpool are “making another push” for Sarr, with the club “preparing to submit a new proposal” to Palace. The post also underlined that Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad are tracking the situation closely and could pounce if Liverpool’s renewed attempt collapses.

So Liverpool push again, but they are not alone in the market – and they have already lost one battle.

Mbaye slips away to Villa

Before turning to Minteh and Sarr, Liverpool explored a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. PSG’s price tag of £60m forced them to back away, and that hesitation has opened the door for Aston Villa.

Villa have moved decisively.

At 4:10pm on August 28, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Villa have reached an agreement in principle with PSG to sign the 18-year-old, with the deal being finalised at €55m. Ornstein added that the relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris has been crucial in pushing the transfer towards completion.

Liverpool now find themselves in a familiar late-window position: one winger slipping through their fingers, another locked behind a resistant selling club, and the clock ticking on a bid that has to land.