Liverpool officials are said to have travelled to Paris to push forward talks over a potential move for Bradley Barcola, with one well-known source on social media suggesting a breakthrough could be close as the Reds look to strengthen their attacking options before the transfer deadline.
The Merseyside club are also believed to hold interest in Ibrahim Mbaye, though the Senegalese international’s valuation is presenting a stumbling block.
With PSG having already brought in Mika Godts and Ferran Torres, the French champions are now in a position to start moving on surplus players, putting both Barcola and Mbaye in the spotlight as potential departures this summer.
Much will hinge on whether PSG are willing to soften their stance on Barcola’s price, with the Ligue 1 side reportedly holding out for around £145m for the winger.
It would be no shock if Liverpool’s hierarchy were unwilling to meet that figure, and there’s a reasonable argument that they shouldn’t, even in today’s inflated market. With Barcola’s contract running until 2028, his value stands to diminish once this window closes, adding pressure on PSG to cash in now rather than risk losing leverage later.
At the same time, Liverpool can’t afford to enter the new season without adding to their attacking options. There appears to be room for the asking price to drop to a more reasonable level, particularly with head coach Luis Enrique reportedly open to the winger moving on. All things considered, there’s a strong sense that a deal between the two clubs remains achievable before the window shuts.
