Manchester United are keeping close eye on £45m star after World Cup exploits

Ismaïla Sarr transfer news: United eye swoop for Palace star Sarr as transfer window heats up

Ismaïla Sarr transfer news: Manchester United have kicked off talks with Ismaïla Sarr’s camp. It is a move that makes perfect sense. The Red Devils wanted someone who could cause chaos anywhere across the front three this summer, and the Crystal Palace attacker is a perfect option. This isn’t just paper talk. It is quickly turning into one of the most credible sagas of the window. Palace got him for pocket change, under £15 million from Marseille two summers ago. Now? His value has skyrocketed.

If INEOS want their man, they will have to cough up. Palace aren’t going to let him walk out the door for nothing, with TEAMtalk suggesting Palace want over triple what they paid. That puts the price tag somewhere north of £45m, though MailSport reckons a deal could be struck closer to £35m.

The Marcus Rashford logjam

Money is tight, and everything hinges on Marcus Rashford. The homegrown forward is back at Carrington after a miserable loan spell at Barcelona, where the Spanish giants completely passed on their £26m option to buy. United want £40m to get him off the books. So far, total silence. Nobody is biting.

That creates a massive bottleneck. Michael Carrick’s current frontline of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo means Sarr isn’t being brought in to lead the line. He’s competing for a spot on the flanks. West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville is also on the radar for around £50m, but Sarr looks like the smarter, cheaper punt if Palace play ball.

The lad was absolutely unplayable last term. 21 goals in 45 games for Palace tells its own story. He bagged nine in the league, played 2,177 minutes, and practically dragged the South Londoners to historic UEFA Conference League glory. Nine goals in Europe saw him walk away with the tournament’s Player of the Season award.

Read: Man Utd open talks to complete signing of £50m Arsenal target

Then came the World Cup in North America. Sarr took that club form and absolutely ran with it for Senegal. Four goals. One assist. He single-handedly carried his country to the round of 32 before Belgium knocked them out. It was a proper coming-of-age tournament, proving he can play as a traditional number nine, which is exactly why United are pushing hard. Juventus are lurking too, having tracked him all last year. Palace hold a massive hand here with three years left on his contract. United are keen, but this is going to be a proper dogfight.