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Crystal Palace star Ismaila Sarr’s agent, Diomansy Kamara, has responded to Liverpool’s failure to sign his client by releasing a lengthy statement.

After bringing in Victor Munoz and agreeing a massive £123million deal for Bradley Barcola, Liverpool attempted to add a third winger before the transfer deadline. The Merseyside club held several rounds of talks over Palace forward Sarr and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh.

Liverpool had also discussed Ibrahim Mbaye during their negotiations for Barcola, but ultimately allowed the 18-year-old to join Aston Villa for €55million/£47m instead.

The Reds made a £40m approach for Sarr. Fabrizio Romano reported that Liverpool also submitted a £50m offer for the experienced Senegal international, though that claim was dismissed by other sources.

Even so, Liverpool were eventually forced to end discussions for Sarr because Palace valued him at more than £50m and made it clear they would not sanction a sale so late in the transfer window.

Another of Kamara’s clients, Lamine Camara, also saw a proposed £47m move to Chelsea collapse at the final moment after Monaco withdrew from negotiations to sell the midfielder.

The agent then wrote: ‘The situations of Ismaila Sarr and Lamine Camara should make all of us reflect.

‘We need to move away from this mindset where the African player can sometimes be made to feel like he is merely a commodity: you buy him, you put a price on him, you negotiate his future and, too often, his own wishes seem to be pushed into the background.

‘Our African players deserve respect. Respect for their work. Respect for their career. Respect for their ambitions. Respect for their voices.

‘A transfer should not be only about two clubs and numbers. Behind every contract, there is a man, a career, dreams and choices about life.

‘The fact that clubs can sometimes have the final say is a reality of professional football.

‘But one question still remains: what about the player’s career and his own wishes? The player must be able to be heard and respected in the decisions that shape his future.

‘Let us never forget what matters most: behind every success, it is the players who write history first.’

Manchester United and Galatasaray were also interested in Sarr, who deleted all Palace-related pictures from his profile as he tried to force through a summer move.

However, United did not take their interest any further, while Galatasaray’s bids were far below the £50m mark.

Liverpool, meanwhile, also failed in their pursuit of Minteh. Their verbal offers worth £50m and £60m were both turned down by Brighton.

Andoni Iraola’s side were considering returning with an improved bid in the region of £65-70m, only to be discouraged when Brighton quoted an £80m asking price.

Barcola’s arrival is seen as a hugely exciting signing for Liverpool supporters. But there is concern among fans over Liverpool’s inability to add a third winger, as well as a right-back and a central midfielder.