Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola continues apace as we enter the final three weeks of the summer transfer window.
While some reports of a ‘done deal’ in recent days were very much jumping the gun, Fabrizio Romano outlined over the weekend that Anfield chiefs remain in discussions with their Paris Saint-Germain counterparts regarding a potential swoop for the winger.
The European champions have set a massive asking price of £128m for the France international (TEAMtalk), and convincing them to do business is set to be considerably harder than persuading the player over a move to Merseyside.
Liverpool have ‘final green light’ from Barcola on personal terms
On Monday morning, Romano took to X to report that Liverpool ‘have the final green light’ from Barcola on personal terms and remain in ‘direct, official conversation’ with PSG over a transfer fee.
In a corresponding overnight update on his eponymous YouTube channel, the reporter elaborated that no ‘official bid’ has yet been made by the Reds, who ‘know that they need to improve their opening conversations’, with their ideal fee for the player ‘far away’ from what the Parisians want.
Romano did add, however, that if PSG were to reinforce their attack with prospective moves for Ferran Torres and Mika Godts (having already signed Maghnes Akliouche), the surplus of forwards ‘could faciliate’ a move to Anfield for Barcola.
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Will the two clubs eventually agree a fee for Barcola?
The 23-year-old has seemingly made it quite clear that he’d happily move to Liverpool if personal terms have been agreed, but the biggest obstacle remains the price that’d be paid to the Champions League holders.
The Reds might be able to convince PSG to knock a few million quid off the reported asking price for him, but realistically it’d probably still require a nine-figure fee to get the go-ahead from the Parc des Princes hierarchy.
As Romano hinted, the fate of the Parisians’ other rumoured transfer pursuits could go some way to determining whether or not they sanction an exit for Barcola, with Luis Enrique reportedly indicating that he’d rather not work with players who aren’t committed to the project in the French capital.
There are still three weeks remaining for a deal to go through, which could be sufficient time for the two clubs to agree a fee and allow for the transfer to ultimately be completed.
As grating as these words might seem for Liverpool fans, given how long the saga has rumbled on already, it might be a case of continuing to be patient in waiting for a breakthrough on a fee being agreed for the attacker.
Let act fast
We have to walk away from this deal, the player is massively overpriced rated. We will regret this deal for years to come if we we sign him for stupid money.
Look at the signings last season, we overpaid for wirtz and Isak. Is Elliott Anderson worth 100 million, or Morgan Rodgers. Probably not.
We are so far into this now we have to get him, pay whatever it takes but get him and get it over with.
After missing out on diomonde it’s now a must.
If we don’t get Barcola after all this it’s a total shambles. Pay the money.
If he ends up at Arsenal or somewhere else Richard Hughes must be sacked.
I also think they are asking for too much but let’s be honest 100 million these days doesn’t buy the absolute top quality. At age 23 he is almost the finished article and will have to hit the ground running if we pay up , 110 million I reckon will settle it but really it needs completing this week so we can focus on a couple more signings. YNWA.
Hughes is leaving at the end of this transfer window. The Barcola saga has gone on for far too long. I’d rather we get Mbaye for the right wing, a defensive midfielder and Spence from Spurs. The money PSG would like for him could cover those three areas.
For that money, I would bring in Branthwaite, Milenkovic, Watkins and a few other proven players.
“For that money, I would bring in Branthwaite, Milenkovic, Watkins and a few other proven players”
WHAT are you smoking over there ??????
Korekt má HUGHES FYRES.
He has stated that he doesn’t want to go to Arse nil, he only wants Liverpool.
If they pay £120m for him and he turns out to be a new Salah for the next 10 years then at £12m a season that would be very good business.
The worst scenario would be he flops and is sold for £50m with Liverpool taking a big hit.
We need a striker that goes without question its another Isak stand off if we want Barcola or the Brazilian from Bournmouth then we need cough up the money thats the price we have to pay if we want world class we need to get on with it and turn our attention to defenders.