Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has said he expects Ismaïla Sarr to remain at Selhurst Park despite speculation that he may leave the club.
Sarr, who scored 21 goals in all competitions for Palace last season, has reportedly been the subject of interest from Liverpool, as they look to bolster their attacking options before the transfer window closes on Sept. 1.
Liverpool’s search for attacking reinforcements continues, with sources telling ESPN that the club have restarted talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a move for Bradley Barcola on Tuesday.
PSG rejected an opening offer of around £90 million ($122.3m) earlier this month, with the French and European champions seeking £135m for the France international.
Sage said that as it stands, Sarr, who has three years remaining on his Palace contract, will stay at the club.
“For the moment, yes, because when you have three years on the contract, it is not easy to leave.
“I understand that for everybody to have this kind of contact [from Liverpool] is difficult, because you hesitate a lot. But for the moment, he is with us. He is under contract.
“He is injured and maybe you can make a link between his injury and the situation. But for me, he is honest and I have no problem with that. We just want him on the pitch as quickly as possible.”
Sarr will miss Palace’s Premier League clash with Manchester City on Friday with a groin injury.
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Sage also suggested he had little reason to doubt Jean-Philippe Mateta‘s availability throughout the season.
“He has the behaviour of someone who is happy to be here, who wants to be here and is prepared to be here all season,” Sage said on the Frenchman. “I don’t see a player who has a problem with the club or with us.”
Liverpool have already agreed personal terms with Barcola, sources told ESPN, although the 23-year-old is not pushing to leave Paris and would be open to remaining with PSG.
All parties believe a deal remains possible, with PSG expecting an improved offer within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The possible departure of Cody Gakpo, who has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, could provide Liverpool with the funds required to complete a move for Barcola.
Information from PA and ESPN’s Julien Laurens contributed to this report.
