via Reuters
Liverpool are said to have received a big boost in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. The Reds are in need of a new top-level winger after losing Mohamed Salah, and Barcola looks to be their priority target.
The problem? PSG are said to be demanding £145.4million for the France World Cup star, and they have grounds to demand it after seeing Elliot Anderson go for £116million and Morgan Rogers for £117million this summer.
Liverpool won't be spending that much money on a single player, but they are said to be hanging in there, hoping the fee can be reduced.
Liverpool handed fresh Barcola boost
Reuters/Sam Navarro
In a fresh boost for Liverpool, PSG look to have found a replacement of sorts for Barcola, having already strengthened out wide with the signing of attacking midfielder and winger Maghnes Akliouche. Barcelona star and the scorer of the World Cup final-winning goal, Ferran Torres, now looks to be heading for a PSG move.
Fabrizio Romano posted on X: "BREAKING: PSG are closing in on verbal agreement for Ferran Torres. PSG sent official bid worth €50m package to Barcelona, talks at final stages. French side see Ferran as opportunity at that fee having one year left on contract, otherwise expected to cost €70/80m."
"Paris Saint-Germain trying to add Ferran Torres after Maghnes Akliouche could open the door for Liverpool to place a bid for Bradley Barcola." - Ben Jacobs, GIVEMESPORT newsletter.
Torres has said he needs to feel loved by Barcelona in their new contract offer, but PSG are likely to show him much more love in the way of contract finances. Torres prefers to play centrally, but he often operates as a winger, and it's likely he will offer support in both roles for PSG.
Liverpool's main summer winger links
Bradley Barcola
Endrick
Matías Fernández-Pardo
Yan Diomande (Has now joined Real Madrid)
Rayan
Torres move could be key for Barcola to Liverpool transfer
Miguel Vidal Via Reuters
The Torres move could be key to PSG sanctioning a Barcola deal at a lower fee, given they now have sufficient cover and the player wants to go. GIVEMESPORT'S Ben Jacobs said in this week's newsletter, which you can sign up for here: "PSG expected to bid for Ferran Torres and a bit like with Barcelona and Rodri, PSG have agreed terms with Torres, and now they will begin club-to-club negotiations.
"Paris Saint-Germain trying to add Ferran Torres after Maghnes Akliouche could open the door for Liverpool to place a bid for Bradley Barcola. Talks are ongoing between the clubs, and Liverpool are playing quite a patient game here, and the expectation from Liverpool is if PSG add one or more new attackers, then suddenly Barcola is a player that PSG might sell for under €170million.
"There's been no bid at the time of writing, but that could change this week as Liverpool wait it out a little bit in the hope of getting a better price for Bradley Barcola."