Ismaïla Sarr will need time to process his proposed move to Liverpool collapsing, Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has said.
The Senegal forward, who was Palace's top scorer last term, seemed to be closing in on a move to Anfield in the final days of the transfer window but ended up staying at Selhurst Park.
"He has to digest for sure because it's a dream for a lot of players to play with this kind of club [Liverpool]," Sage said ahead of Palace's weekend trip to Fulham.
"He had a good opportunity but in the end it didn't work.
"If he wants to continue, you have to have a good season with us as he did last year. We know he needs time.
"Like every bad situation, time does the job and we need time for that."
Sources told ESPN that Liverpool were prepared to sanction the exit of Cody Gakpo if they could find a suitable replacement.
Sarr and Brighton's Yankuba Minteh were among the names that the Reds sounded out, but they were unable to agree a fee with either club.
Liverpool therefore rejected an £80 million ($108m) bid for Gakpo from Manchester City on Monday, sources said.
The Reds did complete the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for £106m ($144m) plus £17m ($23m) in potential performance-based add-ons.
- Liverpool needed to add depth in the transfer window. They didn't get it - Andoni Iraola: Bradley Barcola could make Liverpool debut against Ipswich - Honest Ahanor joins Crystal Palace on loan, will join Chelsea in 2027
On missing out on winger target Malick Fofana, who ended up joining Sunderland on deadline day, Sage said: "We gave our best. At the end of the day the player chose his criteria and I wish him and them the best because he's a good guy and a good player."
Palace travel to Fulham on Saturday with both sides still seeking their first Premier League point after two games.
Information from PA and ESPN's Beth Lindop contributed to this report.