LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Jean Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Manchester United FC at Selhurst Park on September 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace make Ismaila Sarr transfer decision – Insider.
Crystal Palace are not considering letting Ismaila Sarr leave the club in January regardless of the level of interest in his signature.
That is according to former Man United, West Ham and Aston Villa scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that even a bid representing more money than they paid in summer would not tempt Palace to sell.
This comes after reports in Italy claimed that AC Milan are interested in signing the Senegal international and could make a move in the January transfer window.
Sarr, 26, committed to a five-year deal at Selhurst Park when he made the £12.5million move to South London from Marseille in the summer.
As a result, the Eagles will not entertain any interest in his signature as he remains a key part of their plans for the future.
The winger has featured mostly as a substitute under Oliver Glasner, with eight of his nine appearances so far coming from the bench, although he started their last game in a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Brown also clarified that Sarr would not be looking for a move away from Selhurst Park so soon after joining the club.
Crystal Palace determined to keep Ismaila Sarr amid AC Milan interest
Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is known to be a huge fan of Sarr, while the Eagles are limited for options on their right-hand side after losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working with players including over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted he cannot see a deal being agreed, and Sarr would also be reluctant to move again.
“I’ve been told Palace won’t let him go,” he told Football Insider.
“They hold all the cards in this situation because he signed a long-term deal when he joined.
“I know they’re short of options in his position so it doesn’t really matter who’s interested.
“Even if a club came in with a bid above what they paid for him, they have to consider how valuable he can be in their team and his worth to them.
“That balance between keeping your squad strong but also being open to selling players if there’s money to be made is a situation a lot of clubs deal with.
Crystal Palace
“AC Milan are a huge club, of course, but so soon after his move to Palace I can’t see a situation where Palace would want to see him leave – or where the player would want to go anyway.”
