Liverpool continue their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola this summer, and now it looks as though he may be pushing to get the deal done.
The 23-year-old has been wanted man for the Reds ever since it became clear that RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande wasn’t going to move to Anfield.
Fabrizio Romano has provided a big recent update on the situation, saying: “Liverpool have the final green light from Bradley Barcola on personal terms. The negotiations with PSG over the fee continue as clubs are in direct, official conversation. Up to LFC as PSG valuation remains high.”
Now, a respected source on X have claimed that Barcola will play no part in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, as PSG face Aston Villa, citing “illness” as a reason:
“Bradley Barcola COULD pull OUT of Super Cup Final at the LAST SECOND claiming “illness”. Decision to be made soon. Could go either way.”
Will Liverpool finally seal the signing of Bradley Barcola?
It feels awfully convenient that Barcola is suddenly unwell ahead of an important game, at a time when he wants to seal a move to Liverpool from PSG.
There are echoes of Philippe’s Coutinho’s supposed bad back when he planned to leave the Reds and join Barcelona back in 2018, not wanting to risk getting injured.
At this point, it would be best for all parties for Liverpool and PSG to agree a fee, which would likely require the reigning European champions to lower their asking price.
The Reds would still be paying an extortionate amount of money for Barcola, but the reported £145m being demanded is vast for a player who didn’t even start every week for PSG last season.
It is a game of cat and mouse, and the player himself is at the centre of it, but the fact that PSG are making attacking signings at the same time suggests they know what is going to happen in the end.
From Liverpool’s point of view, getting a deal for Barcola over the line is now a must – they would look foolish if the move fell through – as well as possibly another winger to improve squad depth, such as PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye.