Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage does not think it will be easy for Ismaila Sarr to leave the club amid interest from Liverpool, and also expects striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to remain at Selhurst Park.
Palace have reportedly rejected a £50million offer from Liverpool for Senegal winger Sarr, who missed their 2-0 defeat to Everton in their Premier League opener and is dealing with a groin injury.
Sarr is under contract until 2029, and Sage believes that status makes a potential move to Anfield unlikely.
Asked if he expects Sarr to stay at Palace, Sage told a press conference: “For the moment, yes.
“When you have three years on your contract, it’s not easy to leave. I understand for everyone if you have this kind of contact it’s difficult because you hesitate a lot but for the moment he is with us, he is under contract.
“He is injured and maybe you can make a link between injury and the situation but for me he is honest.
“I spoke with him this morning and yesterday about that with him but we just want him on the pitch and all the rest is for other people.”
Palace boss expects Mateta stay
Mateta has also been linked with a move away from south London, with Aston Villa reported to have made an offer for the France international’s services.
Palace and Mateta were involved in a dispute over the validity of one-year contract extension triggered by the club last season.
After the case was heard by a Premier League tribunal, Mateta and his representatives took the case to FIFA, only for world football’s governing body to deem it was not within their jurisdiction.
But Sage does not see a player who is desperate to leave and expects a positive outcome for Palace.
“I speak with him every day and in front of me I have a guy who is funny and happy to be here. He gives his best in every session,” Sage said ahead of Friday’s clash with Manchester City.
“I don’t see a player who has a problem with the club or with us. That’s why he played the last game as a starter.
“Imagine if you have a problem with us, he would not play as a starter. I think he will stay.
“Like, I told you he has the behaviour of someone who is happy to be here and wants to be here, and prepares to be here all season. I have no doubt about that.”
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