It is now getting to the point that Liverpool’s transfer policy is being made to look ridiculous. The Reds have spent all summer chasing Bradley Barcola, with everyone in football knowing that we need at least two wide forwards. Although all the noises are that a deal will get done on that front, we would still be left short if we didn’t add someone else to the roster.
Initially, reports emerged that the name on the list to join us alongside Barcola was that of his Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Ibrahim Mbaye. Now, it seems like we’ve pivoted again, this time to Ismaïla Sarr.
A Fast Lad with Premier League Experience
The need for speed hasn’t been as crucial since Tom Cruise was in Top Gun, with Liverpool’s attacks looking slow and ponderous last season. With that in mind, the Reds were initially linked to Yankuba Minteh at Brighton & Hove Albion, only for his price tag, combined with the fact that he’s currently injured, resulting in us walking away. Perhaps the notion of us getting someone with Premier League experience stuck, however, so a bid has reportedly been put in for Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr, who is keen on a move to Anfield if reports are to be believed.
Liverpool were actually interested in signing Sarr from Watford in 2020, instead choosing to opt for Diogo Jota. The Senegal international then signed for Crystal Palace for £12.5 million, with all of the indications being that the Eagles were happy enough to let him go this summer. In fact, the rumour mill suggested that he was going to be one of Richard Hughes’s first signings at Al Hilal, where the club’s Sporting Director is alleged to be heading next. Either he’s decided he’d be right for Liverpool because he knows how much he’ll cost, or else he sent a bid from the wrong email.
If the Reds don’t manage to get this one over the line, after having already been embarrassed in their chase of Yan Diomande and Minteh, it really will be one of the worst transfer windows for the club in recent times. As Jamie Carragher said recently on Monday Night Football, it only takes a couple of bad windows before you’re so far off the pace that it’s virtually impossible to catch up with everyone else. Sarr is an exciting player who has scored against us regularly enough, so it would be an exciting signing if we can do it. If we can’t, it’s going to be a long old season ahead.
