Liverpool’s search for a long-term answer on the right flank has become more complicated after two targeted moves came to nothing.

Crystal Palace quickly rejected a surprise $68 million (£50 million) approach for Ismaïla Sarr, a player Liverpool view as a possible successor to Mohamed Salah because of his natural fit on the right wing. The Palace forward is also well known to Liverpool from previous meetings, having scored seven times in 10 appearances against them as a Watford and Palace player, including four goals last season.

The Sarr pursuit came after Liverpool had already seen two offers for Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh turned down. Brighton are holding out for $108.7 million (£80 million), leaving Liverpool short of obvious options as the window moves towards its Sept. 1 deadline.

Reports from Fabrizio Romano and others say Palace are not planning to sell Sarr this summer. Galatasaray have also had two bids rejected for the 28-year-old, underlining how difficult this market has become.

Liverpool’s search for a right winger remains separate from any move for Barcola. The Frenchman is not certain to join Anfield, with PSG standing firm on their valuation, although there is growing optimism that a deal could still happen. Even so, that would only address part of the problem for Andoni Iraola, who still needs a natural Salah replacement.

At Newcastle United in the Premier League opener, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Muñoz were used on the right side of the attack, but both are more comfortable on the left. The same is true of Cody Gakpo and possible arrival Barcola.

If Liverpool continue to miss out, they may return to Mbaye, despite PSG’s $81.6 million price tag. Matias Fernandez-Pardo has also been mentioned, while Rayan would require a nine-figure fee and carries a $176.7 million (£130 million) release clause that becomes active in January 2027. Francisco Conceição, Takefusa Kubo and Johan Bakayoko have also been linked in previous windows.

The Premier League season opened with a busy first weekend and several individual displays immediately demanding attention. Chelsea’s refreshed attack helped shape the closing stages of the round, while a number of other clubs also produced performances that stood out for different reasons.

Everton’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Merseyside was not straightforward early on. The visitors started brightly, but poor finishing and Jordan Pickford kept them at bay. Pickford’s best moment came with a sharp save to deny Eddie Nketiah, and his contribution was among the best goalkeeping efforts of the weekend. Only Newcastle United debutant Lukáš Horniček prevented more goals on the opening weekend.

Brighton & Hove Albion also enjoyed a dominant afternoon, with Maxim De Cuyper pushed into a more advanced role in the demolition of Aston Villa. His energy caused constant problems, and he was directly involved in the move that led to Victor Lindelöf’s own goal before adding another by attacking the box with real purpose. That return earned him the Fantasy Premier League Player of the Week award and a 17-point haul.

There was also a memorable debut for Nobel Mendy, who marked his first appearance for Hull City by scoring against Manchester United. The defender helped his side make the most of set-pieces, and he finished the match with 12 clearances as Hull protected their two-goal cushion.

At Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol made the difference against Bournemouth after an opening spell in which City’s fluidity caused problems. He timed his run perfectly to meet Rayan Cherki’s pass and finish calmly beyond Đorđe Petrović, even if the effort was initially flagged offside.

Brentford had strong contributions from Keane Lewis-Potter and Mamadou Sangaré in their win over Tottenham Hotspur. Lewis-Potter struck early, while Sangaré’s debut showed exactly why the Bees committed a club-record fee for him. He linked play effectively, assisted the opener and was involved again for Brentford’s third.

Newcastle United also had reason to be encouraged by Yoane Wissa, whose all-round work helped drive their display against Liverpool. He was central to the transition that led to Joe Willock’s go-ahead goal after Cody Gakpo had drawn Liverpool level.

Chelsea’s own attacking momentum was reflected by Cole Palmer and João Pedro. Palmer looked sharp after a disrupted previous campaign, while João Pedro scored in under 30 seconds and later returned the favour for Palmer. He now appears to be the league’s strongest centre forward outside Erling Haaland.

Arsenal’s opening-night win over Coventry City also featured a debutant contribution, rounding off a weekend in which several new and familiar faces made a strong first impression.

Manchester City have emerged as a surprise suitor for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, with reports suggesting the move would be far from straightforward. One assessment has already described any possible deal as “problematic.”

The interest adds another layer to what has been a restless summer around the Dutch forward. Liverpool’s own recruitment in wide areas has suggested there were already reservations about their attacking depth, even before City entered the picture. That stance could now be tested.

According to The Times, City have already contacted Gakpo’s representatives. There have been no talks with Liverpool at this stage, but the interest is believed to be genuine. City are understood to view the 27-year-old as potential cover for Erling Haaland, even though Gakpo is a natural left winger and has struggled when used centrally for Liverpool.

City’s plans elsewhere complicate the picture. A replacement for the Tottenham-bound Sávio is already said to be taking shape in Palmeiras forward Allan Elias, while Omar Marmoush is also expected to move on this summer. That would leave the new-look City side lighter in attack, which helps explain why Gakpo has entered the conversation.

For Liverpool, any sale would depend on suitable replacements arriving first. The Athletic have said it would be “inconceivable” for Liverpool to allow Gakpo to leave unless two more wingers are signed. Their targets remain familiar: Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Yankuba Minteh have all been linked, with Rio Ngumoha potentially benefitting if a left-sided slot opens up more regularly.

But there is a major obstacle. Liverpool’s valuations and the asking prices are still too far apart, and neither Paris Saint-Germain nor Brighton are under pressure to sell. Unless Liverpool raise their spending, replacement business may not happen.

That leaves Liverpool in a strong position. Gakpo has four years left on a contract signed last August, and The Athletic believe City would need to pay more than $102.3 million (£75 million) to secure him, especially with the added cost of taking a player from a direct rival.