Richard Hughes gets answer in deal for £70m African forward

Liverpool have wrapped up the signing of Bradley Barcola.

The Frenchman, 23, joins from Paris Saint-Germain after the club came to terms over a £123m deal.

Barcola - a two-time Champions League winner - is expected to become Andoni Iraola’s new starting left-wing option. But that still leaves the Basque tactico with a gap to fill on the right.

Liverpool approach Crystal Palace for Ismaila Sarr

Ever since Mohamed Salah moved to Trabzonspor on a free transfer the 2024/25 Premier League champions have been crying out for a right winger.

Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz - as well as Barcola - can provide an alternative in the meantime but it’s no secret that Iraola and Hughes are chasing a natural in the position before the window closes on Tuesday.

We’ve seen Ibrahim Mbaye and Yankuba Minteh linked with Ismaila Sarr also coming into focus last week.

Crystal Palace won't sell Ismaila Sarr

The Crystal Palace winger was the subject of a £50m approach from Anfield - which was immediately knocked back by the UEFA Europa Conference League holders.

But various murmurings over the last few days would appear to suggest that Richard Hughes is not done there. The 28-year-old Senegal international is STILL under consideration for a move late in the window.

The Merseysiders are expected to return for the former Marseille forward - who has made a habit out of scoring against Liverpool.

According to a report in Football Insider that coming approach is expected to get the same treatment from Pierre Sage’s side - who have got no intention of selling Sarr before the window slams shut.

Ismaila Sarr now valued at around £70m

“Crystal Palace have no plans to sell Ismaila Sarr after they rejected an offer from Liverpool,” the report reads.

“Andoni Iraola's side tabled a £50million offer for the 28-year-old earlier this week, which was immediately turned down by the Eagles, but could yet return with an improved bid.

“Despite the growing level of interest in the Senegal international, however, Crystal Palace are extremely reluctant to lose their star man this late in the transfer window.”

In recent hours it’s been claimed that Liverpool could come back in with an offer of €70m to €80m (£60m to £70m) or beyond for the right winger.

Although not a natural chalk-on-your-boots type wideman Sarr has a fine goalscoring knack and electric pace.

It remains to be seen whether we get clarity on this latest approach and whether or not Palace will reluctantly do business over Sarr.

Time will now surely tell.