Crystal Palace supporters might find themselves watching developments closely as discussions continue over a potential £30 million deal between two historic European giants.
Because, as Oliver Glasner’s side await their latest signing of the summer window, talks appear to be advancing regarding a deal that could accelerate Ismaila Sarr’s proposed switch to Selhurst Park.
HITC reported a week ago that the former Watford speedster had agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace.
The Senegal international appears to have emerged as Palace’s leading target to fill the Michael Olise-shaped hole on the right hand side, having lost out to Aston Villa for Hull City talisman Jaden Philogene.
Sarr has agreed a five-year contract in South London, The Eagles offering £12 million.
Now, while things have progressed a little slower than Crystal Palace may have liked, the expectation is that Sarr will still end up back in England imminently after a difficult season in France with Marseille.
Crystal Palace agree terms with Marseille’s Ismaila Sarr
Fabrizio Romano reports that there are currently ‘no issues’ with the deal. Sarr is merely awaiting a visa before he can undergo a medical and join up with the Palace squad for their pre-season preparations.
Marseille, like when Everton came calling for Iliman Ndiaye, will not stand in the way of another forward who endured a rather underwhelming spell at the Stade Velodrome. Especially not with Valentin Carboni seemingly set to arrive from Italian champions Inter Milan.
Carboni is more of a playmaker than an out-and-out, old-school winger like Sarr.
But the 19-year-old did feature often on the right wing during a promising loan spell at Monza last term and may yet find himself drifting in from the flank under former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi at Marseille.
The 1993 European Champions have also brought in Mason Greenwood from Manchester United, another new face who pushes Sarr further down the pecking order.
Marseille close in on Inter Milan’s Valentin Carboni
Greenwood cost Marseille a cool £26 million. Carboni, though he is set to arrive on initial loan, could set the French giants back an even bigger fee later down the line.
Romano reports that a £30 million deal may be struck, seeing Carboni emerge as the most expensive signing in Marseille’s storied history.
Sarr scored five goals and set up six more for Marseille in 2023/24. His most recent Ligue 1 strike came back in October, however.
The one-time Rennes starlet will have big boots to fill at Crystal Palace – Olise was arguably the most impressive attacker outside of the Premier League’s so-called ‘big six’ last term – but he will add a different, more direct option to Glasner’s frontline.
“(Sarr’s potential) is scary, isn’t it, really? It’s almost like everything seems to just be off the cuff,” former Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster told Inside The Hive during their time together at Vicarage Road.
“Every single time he gets the ball, even he doesn’t know what he’s going to do, but it will end up being good either way. He is a bit of a freak, honestly he is.
“I still don’t think people understand quite how quick Ismaila Sarr is. His acceleration off from a standing start is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. And genuinely, I’m being genuine there, I’ve never seen anybody accelerate from a standing start as quick as what he does.
“We need to find a way to get him back in the team as quickly as we can.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
