Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage: Ismaila Sarr is injured, not on strike

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage has rejected claims that forward Ismaila Sarr is refusing to train to force a move away from the club. Reports had suggested the player was attempting to pressure the board following a significant approach from Liverpool, who submitted a £50 million offer.

Sage maintained that the player's absence is purely medical:

«Ismaila Sarr is injured. He is in pain with his groin - that’s why you didn’t see him with us today. He is in individual training because he is really in pain with his groin. But we’ll prepare him, he needs time.» Pierre Sage

The 28-year-old missed the team's Premier League opener against Everton and will also be unavailable for the upcoming match against Manchester City. Despite the speculation, Sage expressed his trust in the player, noting that Sarr remains under contract for three more years and is handling the transfer noise professionally.

Sage revealed he held private talks with Sarr to help him navigate the ongoing links to Liverpool and Saudi side Al-Hilal. The manager insisted that he has no issues with the forward and believes his honesty regarding his physical condition. He dismissed any suggestion that the injury is being used as a convenient excuse to facilitate a transfer.