Michael Owen makes typically boring point about Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola pursuit
Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola is well documented as they remain locked in talks with PSG to get the deal over the line.
The Reds are also negotiating with the Ligue 1 giants for Ibrahim Mbaye, making it an intriguing time for officials of both clubs.
PSG reportedly want £145m for Barcola as they believe it’s fair value for a player who has starred for club and country over the past two seasons.
Liverpool maintain hope that they can bring the fee down and sign the player. But Michael Owen thinks his lack of Premier League experience could be a massive problem.
Owen casts doubts over Liverpool’s Barcola pursuit
“That sounds extortionate, doesn’t it? For someone who’s not proven in the Premier League,” Owen told the Liverpool Echo via TEAMtalk about PSG demanding £145m for Barcola.
“Obviously played at the highest level, but, yeah, at some point you’ve got to say no, haven’t you? If it gets to £145m, I mean, wow, that’s eye-watering.
“I mean, I went on record a couple of months ago saying if I was Liverpool, I’d go and try to get Jared Bowen from West Ham to replace Salah. I thought that made a lot of sense.
“But, obviously, that doesn’t look possible anymore, so they’re going to have to.
“And the problem is everybody knows you’re desperate for a top-class player, so you’re going to have to pay through the nose. That might be just what you have to do.
🚨🔴 Understand official club to club talks between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola have started.#LFC indicated initial bid value over €100m, still far from PSG requests — but talks are on.
Barcola wants Liverpool, as exclusively revealed since May. pic.twitter.com/0AnsWpuklP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2026
“But it sounds extortionate, doesn’t it? £145 million, that’s the number that you’re saying.”
No Premier League experience, really? For a back-to-back UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1 winner, for a player who has starred at the Euros and the World Cup?
Granted, that price tag is absolutely nuts, but in our humble opinion, fans and pundits alike need to stop behaving as if there aren’t any good players outside the Premier League. It’s seriously getting infuriating now.
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