Ismaïla Sarr attracts Al-Hilal interest in transfer race

Ismaïla Sarr’s transfer situation has taken a new turn after Al-Hilal entered the race for the Crystal Palace winger. The Saudi club has shown interest in the Senegal international and made initial enquiries about his circumstances, but the approach has not yet led to a formal offer for Palace.

Sarr is 28 and plays on the right wing. He is listed as a Crystal Palace player with a market value of €40 million. The Senegalese forward moved to the Premier League club from Marseille for €15 million in the 2024-25 season, after one campaign in France following his €13 million transfer from Watford. His earlier career also included spells at Stade Rennais and Metz, with Rennes paying €30 million for him in 2019-20 and Metz receiving €17 million when he left for Rennes in 2017-18.

Al-Hilal’s interest adds another club to a developing contest for Sarr, whose next move remains uncertain as the transfer window approaches its closing stage. Galatasaray is also continuing its efforts to persuade Crystal Palace to allow the winger to leave. The Turkish club’s pursuit means Sarr already has an active alternative, while Al-Hilal has so far limited its involvement to information-gathering and contact.

For Palace, the immediate position is unchanged: there is interest in their player, but no confirmed proposal from Al-Hilal and no completed transfer. Sarr’s future could therefore depend on whether either suitor turns its enquiries into a concrete offer before the market closes.