Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish slams Liverpool’s eleventh-hour Ismaila Sarr pursuit

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has questioned Liverpool’s late attempt to sign Ismaila Sarr, arguing that the timing and reported £50 million offer made a deal unrealistic.

Liverpool reportedly turned to the Palace winger after Cody Gakpo’s proposed transfer to Manchester City created uncertainty near the end of the window. Palace rejected the approach, and Liverpool did not return with an improved bid.

Speaking to The Athletic, Parish said: “It’s unfortunate with Ismaila, but that wasn’t really a situation that was of our doing.” He added that Liverpool could not reasonably expect to sign Palace’s leading scorer for half the value of players they were selling for around £90 million.

Parish accepted that Sarr may have wanted the move, but stressed that only five days remained before the deadline. He believed a transfer might have been possible with more preparation and an appropriate fee.

Sarr’s agent, Diomansy Kamara, accused clubs of treating African players like “a commodity.” Parish rejected the criticism, arguing that agents should manage expectations and help arrange bids earlier rather than make “unfounded accusations” publicly.

Liverpool are not expected to revive their interest in January, with Gakpo now likely to remain at Anfield.