There have been major developments regarding ex-Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and his next club
Bradley Barcola has emerged as a summer transfer target for Liverpool
Bradley Barcola has emerged as a summer transfer target for Liverpool(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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Liverpool's determination to bring in a new winger this summer appears to have drawn them towards PSG's Bradley Barcola. The French forward has emerged at the summit of the Reds' shortlist, with PSG intent on commanding a substantial fee for the French international.
Identifying a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who departed the club this summer following nine years of goals and silverware, was always going to prove a formidable task.
Despite allegedly giving his assurance to Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola that he will make the move to the club this summer, eventually securing Barcola may require a monumental effort from Liverpool.
Last summer, the club shattered their transfer record on consecutive occasions for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, respectively, following protracted negotiations. With PSG demanding £145million, the Reds could find themselves needing to delve deep into their pockets once more.
Today's latest development sees a transfer timeline for Barcola emerge, while Salah's hunt for a new club seems to have hit an impasse.
Mo Salah talks break down
Mohamed Salah appears increasingly unlikely to join Besiktas following the collapse of transfer discussions. The Turkish club's sporting director, Onder Ozen, revealed to local media in remarkably frank terms that his club have withdrawn from negotiations with the winger.
He claimed Salah's representatives are also in conversation with another club. He said: "We contacted Salah, this also involved a financing model. Salah is a global star, a respected athlete. We met with Salah three times before the financial part of the negotiations was discussed.
Mohamed Salah looks disappointed
Mohamed Salah has seen talks with Besiktas break down(Image: Getty Images)
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"Up to this point, everything was smooth. When the financial side began, the initial smoothness slowed down from July 21st onwards. Requests began to arrive that would both disrupt the flow of information and create a deadlock in the financial process.
"I can assume that a respected athlete like Salah was unaware of this. The club has a policy, and it cannot deviate from that policy, our President has very clearly identified his position and has stayed there.
"I don't have a chance to say yes or no, Besiktas's offer, made under its own terms, is clear. If a response comes to this offer, it can be evaluated. But Besiktas will not make another offer.
"They said they are also in talks with another club, maybe they will get a result from there. The last offer we made to Salah is the final point that does not harm Besiktas' club identity."
Salah is now a free agent following his departure from Liverpool this summer, during which time he netted 257 goals and laid on 123 assists in 442 appearances across all competitions.
Bradley Barcola transfer truth
Liverpool have yet to open negotiations with Ligue 1 outfit PSG over a move for Barcola, the ECHO understands. French publication L'Equipe reported on Tuesday that PSG star Barcola has given a 'verbal agreement' to join Liverpool.
However, formal talks with Barcola's current club are yet to begin and it's understood any deal for the winger is expected to cost the Reds more than £100m. Reports that Barcola has opted against committing his future to PSG with a new contract could leave the winger in an uncomfortable position.
PSG manager Luis Enrique is reportedly keen to have only fully committed players at his disposal next season, according to The Athletic. All indications suggest that Barcola could find himself starved of game time should he remain at PSG this season while continuing to resist signing a new contract.
Bradley Barcola (France) during Round of 16 FIFA World Cup 2026, Paraguay and France, Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, United States on July 04 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola is keen on a move to Liverpool(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Several outlets have indicated that PSG are holding out for £145m for Barcola, pointing to Morgan Rogers' £117m move from Aston Villa to Chelsea as one justification for this figure.
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