Ismaïla Sarr: Kamara denounces failed Liverpool move

Ismaïla Sarr will remain with Crystal Palace after his proposed move to Liverpool failed, while his agent Diomansy Kamara has publicly challenged the way clubs handle African players’ careers. Sarr also removed photographs showing him in Palace colours, signalling his frustration after the transfer did not go through.

The Senegalese right winger, 28, is under contract at Crystal Palace after joining from Marseille for €15 million in the 2024/25 season. His listed market value is €40 million. His previous moves took him from Watford to Marseille, Stade Rennais to Watford and Metz to Rennes.

Sarr’s situation formed part of a difficult transfer deadline day for Senegal international Lamine Camara. The Monaco midfielder had been allowed to undergo a medical after Chelsea reached an agreement, but the move was stopped at the final stage. Chelsea officials and supporters were left confused by the outcome.

Kamara used a social-media article to argue that transfers should not be decided only by clubs and financial negotiations. He said players’ work, ambitions, choices and voices must carry greater weight, and criticised the idea that African footballers can be treated as assets whose futures are determined without sufficient regard for their wishes. The failed moves made the 2026 transfer window a prominent period for Senegal’s internationals.