Bradley Barcola remains in the headlines for Liverpool after conflicting updates over contract and club-to-club talks, while two more players reported back for pre-season.
Contradictory reports on Bradley Barcola agreement
The winger has become the headline story for Liverpool with no other credible transfer interest at present, and the latest has contradictory reports on an agreement with the player.
Claims on Tuesday suggested a financial package had been agreed between the club and the player, but several sources have since denied this.
French outlet L’Equipe report Barcola has “given his verbal agreement” to Liverpool for a transfer, but “this does not yet constitute a contractual agreement.”
3D0G50G LEVERKUSEN - Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain at the Bay Arena on October 21, 2025, in Leverkusen, Germany. ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Bart Stoutjesdijk
3D0G50G LEVERKUSEN - Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain at the Bay Arena on October 21, 2025, in Leverkusen, Germany. ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Bart Stoutjesdijk
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, stated on X that “any financial agreement is yet to be approved, done or sealed,” though “talks will take place in the next days.”
RMC Sport‘s Fabrice Hawkins added that the Reds are Barcola’s “priority” if he leaves PSG, but there is no contract agreement with Liverpool as it stands.
And despite L’Equipe reporting the two clubs have begun talks, the Echo‘s Paul Gorst states this is not yet the case as the classic back-and-forth phase of the transfer saga begins.
LFC News: Van Dijk and Gakpo report for pre-season & Kerkez clears up rumours
• Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo reported for pre-season at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday, with the club opting against them joining the squad in the US – it would be nice if a new signing could join them!
• Ryan Gravenberch wants to step up as “more of a leader” for Liverpool this season, which can only be a good thing after experienced figures left in the summer. He’s an outsider for the vice-captaincy
• If you were led to believe Milos Kerkez got married over the summer break, the truth is he did not and it was instead his brother. It’s crazy how quickly falsehoods on the internet spread! (The Athletic)
• Mohamed Salah‘s talks over a free transfer to Besiktas have broken down after the Turkish club confirmed they will not be improving their contract offer – the winger’s agent has been blamed for moving the goalposts
Inside Andoni Iraola’s New York coaching lessons
Liverpool’s meeting with Wrexham at Yankee Stadium will see Andoni Iraola return to the scene of a late-career move as a player, and James Nalton has delved deeper:
“Even though it was just for one season, that time playing in midfield will have been important to Iraola’s understanding of the game and of the tools required to be a midfielder in a physical league.
“Working under someone of Vieira’s stature and alongside a technical player such as Pirlo will also have been useful for someone about to begin on the path to becoming a manager.
“If you want a year-long lesson in midfield play, which is vital to the pressing and high-intensity game as well as possession and build-up, having those two to learn from is about as good as you can get when it comes to covering all bases.
“Playing in a different league, outside of the Athletic Club comfort zone in his Basque Country birthplace, will also have been a good learning experience for a would-be coach.”
Football News: New international managers and Jordan Henderson to Chelsea
CARDIFF, WALES - Friday, June 2, 2017: Real Madrid's head coach ZinÈdine Zidane during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus FC and Real Madrid CF at the Stadium of Wales. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CARDIFF, WALES - Friday, June 2, 2017: Real Madrid's head coach ZinÈdine Zidane during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus FC and Real Madrid CF at the Stadium of Wales. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the head coach of the France national team, replacing Didier Deschamps, while Roberto Mancini is expected to return as Italy coach (The Guardian)
• FIFA president Gianni Infantino is planning on selling stakes in the World Cup to private investors (for money). Surely that’s not legal, but are we at all surprised? (The Times)
• Jordan Henderson is in talks to join Chelsea this summer as Xabi Alonso looks for leadership and experience. It would be a fourth move since leaving Liverpool, and unlikely to be popular!
• Vinicius Jr. is now expected to stay at Real Madrid next season as the Spanish side have no intention of selling and are “confident” he’ll agree a new deal. Stay away from Barcola, Arsenal (Sky Sports)
• Man City‘s Rodri, who has been heavily touted with a move to Real Madrid, has undergone back surgery and will be sidelined for a “short” period – it could be smart to get money for him while they can (MCFC)
Liverpool FC: On this day
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, July 29, 2008: Liverpool's new signing Robbie Keane with manager Rafael Benitez at the club's Melwood Training Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, July 29, 2008: Liverpool's new signing Robbie Keane with manager Rafael Benitez at the club's Melwood Training Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
On this day in 2008, Liverpool signed Robbie Keane from Tottenham in a deal worth £19.3 million, in what proved a very short spell at Anfield.
There were hopes the striker could form a strong partnership with Fernando Torres, but it never came close to becoming a reality.
He scored his first goal in his 11th outing for the club and added just six more in a total of 28 appearances before he was sold back to Spurs after just SIX months.
Liverpool at least recouped £15 million for the striker, but it proved one of the club’s worst transfer buys.
Get our Liverpool FC roundups like this one to your inbox every evening!
An informative, tongue-in-cheek roundup of the day’s events at LFC and the wider football world.