Today's Liverpool FC transfer round-up column sees an exciting update on Bradley Barcola alongside credible reports of rival interest in Liverpool's top-scoring current player
Liverpool are expected to make an opening bid for Bradley Barcola soon and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has offered an exciting update
Liverpool are expected to make an opening bid for Bradley Barcola soon and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has offered an exciting update(Image: PSG via Getty Images)
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Far be it from the Liverpool FC transfer round-up column to spoil your Monday - the Reds might have already handled that with that collapse against Leeds last night - but Liverpool have just 29 days remaining to get their house in order ahead of the transfer window closing on September 1.
FA officials are presumably already stood by the window, WD40 in hand, to ensure full slamming capability ahead of the big day - and Liverpool supporters will hope Richard Hughes and co. have their own preparations in order to patch up a Liverpool team that looked very light at the back in Chicago last night.
As you'll know by now, Liverpool's first priority is getting a replacement in for Mohamed Salah, and we have an update on that particular objective that's bound to ramp up the anticipation at the start of the week.
There are also credible reports of serious interest from a Premier League rival in Liverpool's current starting left winger, and more chatter around the future of one Curtis Jones amid a fresh approach from Inter.
There's no need to go anywhere else. Stick around as we round up the latest gossip and rumours in the Reds' transfer news column....
Barcola deal 'on'
Barcola managed three goals and an assist for France at the World Cup despite making fewer headlines than Kylian Mbappe or Michael Olise
Barcola managed three goals and an assist for France at the World Cup despite making fewer headlines than Kylian Mbappe or Michael Olise(Image: Getty Images)
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Transfer fiend Fabrizio Romano has rarely stayed quiet for long about Liverpool's interest in Bradley Barcola this summer, bringing up the Frenchman on the regular even during those fabled days of yore when the Reds were still chasing Yan Diomande.
But the latest news Romano dropped on YouTube this afternoon was delivered with a level of chutzpah that should get every Liverpool fan excited.
"The update I can give you today is that Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are now in official club-to-club talks," said Romano. "So, the official conversations - Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, for Bradley Barcola - have started, including the indication from Liverpool to Paris Saint-Germain of the intention to bid for Bradley Barcola."
Which, y'know, we told you last Wednesday would be imminent. Anyway.
"So, Paris Saint-Germain are aware of everything, Paris Saint-Germain are informed directly by Liverpool. As I mentioned, the relationship is good between the two clubs. The initial indications from Liverpool are far away from the bid that Paris Saint-Germain expected. So, this is why I keep saying Barcola to Liverpool from PSG is not an imminent 'here we go', it's not today or tomorrow, because in terms of financials, in terms of numbers, they are still far away after these first official talks.
"But the conversations will continue, because Liverpool want Barcola, Barcola loves the idea of joining Liverpool. As I mentioned, personal terms will not be an issue, the player is super tempted by the project. So this deal is ongoing. Liverpool, Barcola, talks ongoing with Paris Saint-Germain, and we wait to see if and when they can reach an agreement on the transfer fee. But the Barcola deal is absolutely on."
Cheers, Fab.
Spurs want Gakpo
Gakpo is Liverpool's top-scoring current player but that hasn't stopped questions surrounding his place in the team ahead of the new season
Gakpo is Liverpool's top-scoring current player but that hasn't stopped questions surrounding his place in the team ahead of the new season(Image: Matt West/Shutterstock)
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As speculated in the previous edition of this column, Spurs are indeed lining up an approach for Cody Gakpo,
The Daily Mail and the Evening Standard, have both made clear that the Reds aren't actively looking to sell. Gakpo is now Liverpool's top-scoring current player since the departure of Salah, and regardless of his starting status next season is set to be an important player in Andoni Iraola's squad.
As such, the Mail report that Liverpool "have no plan to sell Cody Gakpo" and claim "it would take a huge sum to change Liverpool's stance".
TEAMtalk claimed on Sunday that discussions between Spurs and Gakpo's representatives had been "positive" and that the 27-year-old was "conscious of what his longer-term role could become and is not entirely convinced that remaining a squad player is the best option at this stage of his career".
That would be an understandable stance for Gakpo to take if Barcola is being targeted to play in his preferred position on the left, but it is still hard to imagine that the Dutchman would struggle for minutes given Iraola's approach to using his wingers means there is every chance Barcola is asked to play on the right as well as rotating with Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz.
Selling Gakpo would certainly free up some funds for the Barcola pursuit, but it risks leaving Liverpool light once again in attack - which ultimately doesn't get us any closer to solving the main issue of squad depth.
As things stand, Liverpool are yet to receive a bid for Gakpo and discussions are not yet underway between the clubs.
Inter "have no intention" of increasing Jones offer
Curtis Jones was one of several Liverpool players that put in a rusty performance in the second half of the Reds' final game of their pre-season US tour last night against Leeds, and talk has picked up in recent days about a potential switch to Serie A this summer.
Inter have been interested since January, and despite being knocked back with two bids earlier in the summer have informed Liverpool they are now prepared to pay £30m for the 25-year-old, whose contract expires next summer. That still doesn't match Liverpool's asking price of £35m but it is a lot closer than their previous approaches.
Curtis Jones was handed the captain's armband when Dominik Szoboszlai went off against Leeds but endured a game to forget as Liverpool lost 4-2
Curtis Jones was handed the captain's armband when Dominik Szoboszlai went off against Leeds but endured a game to forget as Liverpool lost 4-2(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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If Inter-focused Tribuna journalist Armando Areniello is to be believed, a softening of Liverpool's stance may be the only way this deal gets done, as he has claimed that "Inter has no intention of going beyond €35m, bonuses included".
At this stage, a swift resolution to this tiresome saga would be preferable, whether that means Jones staying at Anfield or a replacement being brought in to facilitate the exit he appears to want.
If Jones does go, though, Liverpool could have a job on their hands to replace him with a suitably experienced homegrown player - something which would likely be required for squad size purposes given the requirement for more numbers elsewhere.
Other reports today
Federico Chiesa "will almost certainly wear the Red shirt again next season," according to Calciomercato. Chiesa's public comments have indicated a willingness to stay put for Andoni Iraola's first season in charge. Could he be a genuine squad option this season?
Another player hoping to extend his time at Anfield is Calvin Ramsay. Speaking to the club's official website ahead of the Leeds friendly, Ramsay revealed he was enjoying working with new head coach Iraola. "It's obviously only been a few weeks," Ramsay said, "so hopefully I can stay here for a little bit longer and keep working with him and keep learning and get better."
Al Hilal reportedly want to sign 19-year-old Bournemouth winger Rayan, according to Globo Esporte. They claim that "negotiations will intensify in the coming weeks" as the Saudi side look to replace fellow Brazilian winger Malcom. Rayan was signed in Iraola's last transfer window on the south coast and has been linked with a future move to Liverpool.
Nonsense of the day
Yan Diomande's summer transfer window has been chaotic and it could yet end up with him staying put at RB Leipzig for another season
Yan Diomande's summer transfer window has been chaotic and it could yet end up with him staying put at RB Leipzig for another season(Image: Getty Images)
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Remember Yan Diomande? How could you forget.
Had a big from Liverpool, then said he wanted to join PSG, then decided on going to Real Madrid? Yep, that's the guy.
Well, Liverpool and PSG were allegedly contacted by intermediaries to ascertain whether either club would be interested in reigniting their interest as Madrid negotiations with his current club, RB Leipzig, appeared to stall. It's claimed both clubs "have no intention of reviving their interest" after each being burned once before.
Sky Sport Germany revealed over the weekend that Leipzig failed to respond to Madrid's latest offer, which is bound to have got Diomande and his representatives sweating.
There's no indication of whether those intermediaries were allegedly acting on behalf of Leipzig or Diomande's entourage, but if it was the latter that would be an astonishingly shameless turn of events. Whatever the case, this whole palaver is a farce Liverpool should count themselves lucky to no longer be involved in.