Crystal Palace’s grand deadline-day plans just hit a massive roadblock. A potential £60 million blockbuster sending Ismaïla Sarr to Liverpool collapsed after the two clubs failed to bridge the gap on Palace’s steep £75 million valuation cemented further by Cody Gakpo staying put at Anfield. Sarr dropped his bombshell desire to leave far too late in the window, leaving Pierre Sage scrambling.
Yet, the Eagles weren’t caught completely flat-footed. Palace leadership actively lined up a marquee contingency plan to swoop in the moment Sarr packed his bags.
Meet Ez Abde: The £30m-£40m Target Palace Wanted
Real Betis dynamo Abdessamad Ezzalzouli sat proudly near the absolute top of Crystal Palace’s wish list to replace Sarr. The Moroccan international arguably represents an immediate upgrade over Sarr rather than just a stopgap replacement.
Abde tore through the 2025/26 campaign with a staggering 15 goals and 10 assists across 43 appearances for Los Verdiblancos. At 24 years old, the former Barcelona youngster combines explosive pace with clinical finishing and elite chance creation, dwarfing the underlying numbers of Palace’s current wide options. Valued between £30 million and £40 million, he would have brought serious pedigree to Selhurst Park.
Why the Move Stalled
Real Betis and Abde’s representatives maintained a state of total readiness while monitoring Crystal Palace’s looming interest. However, transfer insider @alvaritomfs confirms that with the Liverpool deal dead in the water, Abde stands much closer to staying in Spain than packing his bags for south London.
For now, the Moroccan remains a Betis player, shaking off the minor injury knocks that delayed his early-season momentum. While Palace fans can stop refreshing Twitter for a £35 million La Liga arrival today, the failed Sarr pursuit highlights just how aggressively the Eagles plan to operate when the market swings back open.
