Ismaila Sarr ‘Agrees Five-Year Deal’ to Join Crystal Palace as they prepare medicals for another star
Ismaila Sarr has agreed on a five-year deal to join Crystal Palace from Marseille, journalist Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT
The club had considered multiple options to bolster the flanks of their attack, namely Club Brugge wide man Antonio Nusa and Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, but have now settled on Sarr as Smith Rowe nears a move to Fulham.
Sarr, 26, made 23 Ligue 1 appearances for Marseille last season after signing from Championship side Watford in July 2023, but a swift return to England now appears a formality, as Romano reports that personal terms are agreed between player and club on a five-year deal, as long as an agreement between Palace and the French side.
Oliver Glasner’s side were searching for winger reinforcements in this window following the sale of talented Frenchman Michael Olise to Bavarian heavyweights Bayern Munich, and are now closing in on their selection of Sarr.
Sarr – labelled as an “extraordinary guy” by manager Jean-Louis Gasset – is nearing a move to Crystal Palace on a five-year deal.
The Senegalese wide-man is renowned for his pace, and was a star man for Watford throughout his four-year spell there, notably scoring a winner against Liverpool that ended their lengthy unbeaten run on the way to the Premier League title in 2019/20.
He is now set for a return to England after just a year away. The fee, according to Romano, is likely to be around €15m.
The club had also considered a move for tricky Danish winger Antonio Nusa and reputable English talent Emile Smith Rowe, but have opted for the experience and cut-price of Sarr over Nusa, with Smith Rowe closing in on a transfer to Fulham.
While Crystal Palace are set to sign Sarr, one of their priorities was Arsenal man Emile Smith Rowe. He is now nearing ever closer to a club-record switch to Fulham, believed to be in the region of £35m with add-ons on top of the price.
Smith Rowe was not selected for Arsenal’s 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Bournemouth in California on Wednesday, with Mikel Arteta opting to field a young group of players for their opening pre-season tour contest.
The Arsenal boss hinted after that game that Smith Rowe, who was limited to just 346 Premier League minutes last season, including three starts, having been troubled with an injury to his knee at the end of 2023, could be on his way out.
“They considered Nusa. They also wanted Smith Rowe, he was one of the priorities, but he [Smith Rowe] is now close to Fulham, and so now the negotiation with Ismaila Sarr is concrete.
“They have an agreement with the player on a five-year deal, so everything is okay between Sarr and Crystal Palace.”
