Why Ismaila Sarr is not in Crystal Palace squad as shock absence explained
Ismaila Sarr has been omitted from the Crystal Palace squad to face Everton amid transfer interest from Galatasaray.
The Senegal winger was a shock high-profile absentee as new Eagles boss Pierre Sage named his team for a first Premier League match in charge at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on the opening day of the season.
Galatasaray are keen to sign Sarr before the summer transfer window closes in Turkey next month and are reported to have tabled an offer for his services worth around £30million.
It has been suggested in the Turkish media that the former Watford star is pushing to complete the move, though Sage said in his pre-Everton press conference on Friday that Palace would keep Sarr, whom he said would be available to play this weekend.
However, he has not been selected and Fabrizio Romano reports that Sarr has an agreement over personal terms with Galatasaray, who have been linked with a whole host of Premier League targets over recent weeks including Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
BBC Sport, meanwhile, report that the 28-year-old has been complaining of a groin problem and did not train in the two days leading up to the Everton game.
They add that Palace do not want to lose Sarr and that a significant offer would be required to even contemplate changing that stance.
Sarr has been a key player for the Eagles since joining from Marseille in a £12.5million deal in the summer of 2024, scoring 33 goals and providing 10 assists in 92 appearances across all competitions.
Last season, he netted 21 times in 45 outings as he helped then FA Cup holders Palace to win both the Community Shield and the Conference League in Oliver Glasner’s final campaign in charge.
Sage said of Sarr on Friday: “We will keep him, we will keep him. He’s a really important player for the club and for us. He will be able to play this weekend.”
Crystal Palace could be set for a busy end to the transfer window, with Chelsea defender Axel Disasi poised to undergo a medical and join on an initial season-long loan deal.