Pierre Sage expects Mateta and Sarr to stay at Crystal Palace despite transfer interest

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage expects Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr to remain at Selhurst Park beyond the transfer deadline despite uncertainty surrounding both players.

Mateta has been involved in a contract dispute with Palace and recently attracted interest from Aston Villa, while Sarr is being pursued by Liverpool and Galatasaray.

Sage, however, is preparing for both players to remain part of his squad.

Mateta’s future has been uncertain after he challenged the validity of a one-year contract extension Palace activated in 2024.

A Premier League tribunal subsequently ruled that the striker remains bound by the contract.

The Frenchman also came close to joining AC Milan in January, only for the transfer to collapse following his medical because of a pre-existing knee problem.

More recently, Aston Villa have had an offer rejected for the striker.

Despite everything happening away from the pitch, Sage insists Mateta has shown no indication in training that he wants to force his way out.

“I think he will stay,” Sage said. “He has the behaviour of someone who is happy to be here, who wants to be here and prepared to be here all season.”

Mateta started Palace’s Premier League opener against Everton, further demonstrating that Sage continues to consider him an important first-team player.

Sage also addressed Sarr’s situation amid growing transfer speculation.

As Football Place reported earlier, Liverpool have opened talks over signing the Senegal international after ending their pursuit of Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh.

Liverpool have reportedly put forward a proposal worth around £50m, with Sarr keen on a potential move to Anfield.

Galatasaray have also been pushing for his signature and previously saw two approaches rejected by Palace.

Despite that interest, Sage does not expect the winger to depart.

“When you have three years on the contract, it is not easy to leave,” the Palace manager said.

Sarr’s absence from Palace’s opening defeat against Everton and his individual training programme have added to the speculation.

Sage insists the situation is injury-related rather than transfer-related.

The 28-year-old is struggling with a groin problem and Palace initially expected him to recover more quickly.

“Ismaïla Sarr is in individual training because he is really in pain with his groin,” Sage explained. “We prepare him, he needs time.”

That position contrasts with earlier reports suggesting Sarr had refused to train while pushing for a transfer.

Palace, at least publicly through their manager, are preparing for him to recover and return to the first-team group.

Liverpool’s next move for Sarr will be particularly important after their reported £50m proposal, with Palace showing no public desire to sell.

Mateta’s situation also remains worth watching following Aston Villa’s approach, but Sage has now made Palace’s position clear: he expects both attackers to stay unless something significant changes before the deadline.