As Liverpool were shaking off the rust against Sunderland in America, Bradley Barcola was seemingly informing Paris Saint-Germain that his future lies elsewhere. The winger has just handed the Reds their biggest boost yet in pursuit of replacing Mohamed Salah.
The Frenchman has been one to watch since the start of the transfer window. As soon as Liverpool saw their offer rejected for Yan Diomande, Barcola was the name in their sights.
He certainly matches the criteria that they're looking for, too. The PSG star is direct, quick and has an eye for goal at just 23 years old.
How Liverpool's attack could line up next season
Rio Ngumoha
Alexander Isak
Bradley Barcola
It's been a slow start to the summer for Liverpool, but everything could be about to change following Barcola's contract decision.
Bradley Barcola green-lights Liverpool move
bradley-barcola-franceREUTERS/Sam Navarro
According to Foot Mercato's Santi Aouna, Barcola has now green-lit a move to Liverpool and is prioritising the Reds, who have held talks with PSG over a deal.
This comes just after news broke from Fabrizio Romano that the winger has decided against signing a new contract at PSG and is instead open to exploring a move away from the French club.
It's huge news for Liverpool, but the deal won't come cheap. Previous reports claimed that PSG have set their asking price at an eye-watering £145m, which would see those at Anfield break their transfer record for the third time in the space of 12 months.
Rank Player Fee Signed from Year
1 Alexander Isak £125m Newcastle 2025
2 Florian Wirtz £116m Bayer Leverkusen 2025
3 Virgil van Dijk £75m Southampton 2018
4 Hugo Ekitike £69m Frankfurt 2025
5 Alisson £67m Roma 2018
From a Liverpool perspective, the hope will be that PSG's price-tag drops now that Barcola has opted out of signing a new contract. Just how much it would drop by remains to be seen, though. Either way, it looks like the Reds will have to pay a hefty price.