Bradley Barcola’s move to Liverpool hits a big change as PSG makes a £25m choice
Liverpool are really hoping to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, and it looks like their chances have just gotten better. The Reds have been trying to make a double deal for Barcola and his teammate Ibrahim Mbaye for a few weeks, but the two clubs have struggled to agree on the price.
PSG first wanted at least £145 million for Barcola, but Liverpool didn’t want to break the Premier League transfer record to get the 23-year-old, who had 20 goal contributions last season. Bringing both Barcola and Mbaye to Liverpool would have cost over £200 million, with PSG valuing 18-year-old Mbaye at around £60 million.
Liverpool got frustrated when talks for the pair didn’t work out and started looking at Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh instead. But Brighton isn’t lowering their price either, having already turned down bids of £50 million and £60 million for the 22-year-old winger. Liverpool is now preparing a third offer for Minteh, who is currently out with an ankle injury expected to keep him sidelined for two to three months.
At the same time, Liverpool’s chances of signing their main target, Barcola, have improved. According to TEAMtalk, PSG may accept £120 million for Barcola after initially asking for £125 million. This would make him the second most expensive Premier League signing ever, just behind Alexander Isak, who joined for £125 million last summer.
Barcola is likely to leave PSG before the September 1 deadline. He already turned down a contract extension after returning from the World Cup in July. Under coach Luis Enrique, Barcola has been pushed down the team’s pecking order, especially with new signings like Mika Godts, Ferran Torres, and Maghnes Akliouche joining this summer.
Since PSG lowered their price to £120 million, many expect Liverpool to finally get this deal done. Barcola hasn’t been included in PSG’s last two match squads, including their recent 2-2 draw against Rennes, which shows it’s likely he’ll be moving on. PSG’s sporting advisor, Luis Campos, hinted at Barcola’s possible departure, saying the transfer window is still open and they’ll see what happens.
While a move for Barcola looks more and more likely, it seems Liverpool have dropped their hopes of signing Mbaye, as his £60 million price tag is just too high.