Key Points
- Senegalese winger Ismaïla Sarr has been left out of Crystal Palace’s matchday squad to face Everton amidst growing transfer speculation.
- Galatasaray have submitted an official proposal, but Crystal Palace rejected the opening offer estimated between €30m and €40m.
- Crystal Palace have set a strict valuation north of £60m (€60m) for the 28-year-old top scorer.
- Reports indicate Sarr has agreed personal terms on a four-year contract with Galatasaray, aiming for UEFA Champions League football.
- Palace manager Pierre Sage previously stated Sarr would feature, sparking claims that the player is attempting to force a late departure.
London (South London News) August 22, 2026 – Ismaïla Sarr has been excluded from Crystal Palace’s matchday squad for their Premier League encounter against Everton, accelerating intense transfer friction as the Senegalese international seeks a move to Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray.
Why Has Ismaïla Sarr Been Omitted From The Squad?
As reported by Sport News Africa, Sarr was left out of the travelling squad to face Everton despite manager Pierre Sage assuring earlier in the week that the winger would feature. Although no official injury status has been issued by the club, reporting by Foot Mercato indicates the player’s absence stems from a widening standoff between the winger and the Eagles’ board to force through a move to Istanbul.
Has Galatasaray Made An Official Bid For The Forward?
As reported by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Galatasaray have launched a formal push to sign the 28-year-old forward, having reached an agreement on personal terms for a four-year contract. However, as noted by Sports Mole, Crystal Palace rejected Galatasaray’s initial opening bid—valued between €30 million and €40 million—stating that Sarr remains under contract until 2029 and will not be sold below their valuation of £60 million (€60 million).
What Is Pierre Sage’s Position On Sarr’s Potential Departure?
As reported by Africa Soccer, Crystal Palace head coach Pierre Sage publicly rejected claims that Sarr would be allowed to leave late in the transfer window, insisting: “We’ll keep him.”
Sarr finished as Palace’s top scorer last season with 21 goals in all competitions, including 9 goals during their UEFA Conference League title run, making him an irreplaceable component of Sage’s tactical setup.
Background of the particular development
Ismaïla Sarr joined Crystal Palace from Olympique de Marseille in the summer of 2024 for a fee of approximately £12.5 million. Across two seasons at Selhurst Park, the Senegalese international established himself as the team’s vital attacking outlet, playing an indispensable role in Palace’s historic European silverware last term.
The current transfer standoff emerges at a sensitive juncture in the transfer window, with the English transfer window set to close shortly while the Turkish window remains open longer, leaving Crystal Palace exposed to late market disruption without immediate scope to sign a replacement.
Prediction: How this development can affect Crystal Palace and Galatasaray
If Crystal Palace hold firm on their £60 million price tag and refuse to sell, the situation threatens to fracture the relationship between Ismaïla Sarr and new manager Pierre Sage, potentially affecting team chemistry and squad harmony in the opening months of the Premier League season.
Conversely, should Galatasaray meet Palace’s valuation, Crystal Palace will face an immense tactical burden to replace 21 goals’ worth of attacking output before the transfer deadline, whereas Galatasaray would secure a marquee signing to bolster their squad for their upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign.
