Liverpool are now ready to submit their first formal offer to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola.
The Reds have been ramping up their pursuit of a new forward, with AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche also of interest, but with the 24-year-old keen on a move to PSG, Barcola may be the more attainable target.
The Frenchman has become a regular starter for PSG over the past three seasons, collecting 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 matches, and manager Luis Enrique has suggested he has a lot to offer even when he's not on the scoresheet.
In January 2025, Enrique said: "He's a sensational player; he's the same player, in my opinion, as he has been since the start of the season. He's not scoring, but he remains exceptional. He's going through a period where he might lack confidence, or perhaps feel a bit less confident. But what's important is what he brings to the team. He provides assists, he defends."
Although the 23-year-old is primarily a left-winger, he is also capable of playing on the opposite flank, which means he could replace Mohamed Salah, whose nine-year stint at Anfield came to an end earlier this summer.
Liverpool set to make huge bid for Bradley Barcola
France's Bradley Barcola scores their second goalREUTERS/Sam Navarro
According to a report from Ben Jacobs, writing for TalkSPORT, Liverpool are finally 'set to place an opening bid' for Barcola, having held talks earlier in the week.
The journalist disputes rumours that the winger has already agreed personal terms, but says he will not extend his deal in Paris, which has two years left to run and hands the Reds a strong negotiating position.
PSG value their star at £145m while Liverpool want to start the bidding around £80m, so there is still some way to go before finding an agreement.
The France international is Liverpool's priority target though, and crucially, Fabrizio Romano has previously revealed he is keen on a move to Anfield.
The existing British transfer record is £125m, which was also set by Liverpool when they signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last summer.
Is Bradley Barcola signing for Liverpool?
FSG willing to make huge bid
PSG prepared to cash-in
Barcola keen on the move
Juventus star Francisco Conceicao has also emerged as a potential alternative though, and at just £43m, the Portuguese winger would be a much cheaper addition to Andoni Iraola's squad.
Liverpool manager Androni Iraola poses for a photograph before the press conference Related
Liverpool plotting raid for £100,000-a-week Chelsea star after Iraola demand
He's a dream target.