Liverpool continue to be linked with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola but have shown no sign of meeting the asking price of the France international
Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain
Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Less than three weeks. That's the time Liverpool have remaining to bolster their playing resources until the transfer window slams shut for another summer.
With Ronald Araujo having arrived on loan from Barcelona, the focus will now be on filling the Mohamed Salah-sized hole in the attack with the purchase of a new right winger.
Having missed out on Yan Diomande with the Ivory Coast international instead opting for Real Madrid, the Reds have been courting Paris Saint-Germain's double Champions League winner Bradley Barcola.
At the moment, though, Liverpool have shown no sign of being willing to meet PSG's valuation of Barcola, which is reportedly between £130million and £145m. But how much should the Reds be comfortable with coughing up? Our ECHO writers take a look...
Ian Doyle
The transfer market has clearly taken leave of its senses this summer, given the prices that Premier League clubs - and Real Madrid - are willing to pay for players who often are unproven at the very highest level.
At least Bradley Barcola, with two Champions League finals and several Ligue Un titles under his belt, has sufficient experience at the cutting edge, even if he still has room for further growth as a player.
But there's surely a limit. And while there are a number of players who have moved for extortionate amounts, Liverpool cannot allow themselves to fall into line in that regard.
Yes, they need a right winger. Desperately so in fact. But not at any cost, especially when there are other areas of the squad that are going to need major surgery over the next couple of windows.
Liverpool handing over £100m would be more than enough should they want the player that much. Evidently, Barcola is not averse to the move and would instantly become an important player.
PSG, however, are asking for way too much. There are other players out there - as Liverpool have shown many times in the past.
Mark Jones
We're about to enter the stage where the difference between what Bradley Barcola is worth and what Liverpool should be willing to pay for him will be growing by the day, but there has to be a limit.
At least, unlike with Yan Diomande, it appears as though Barcola is already committed to the Liverpool cause. There seems to be little chance of him signing a new deal with PSG, and he is ready to embrace the challenge on offer at Anfield should it come along.
That should be worth a few extra bob on its own, but if the asking price goes much further north of the £125m forked out for Alexander Isak then the Reds surely have to reconsider.
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They were happy to eventually pay that fee for Isak regardless of what others thought of it, but that wasn't the plan for Barcola. And sticking to their transfer plan is what has served them so well over the years.
There are always other footballers, and while the transfer market may have lost the run of itself somewhat this summer, there are plenty of players out there who could be successful for the Reds under Andoni Iraola.
Barcola is definitely one of them, but not at any cost.
Richard Garnett
The closer we edge towards the start of the new Premier League season the more desperate Liverpool's need to secure a top-class winger becomes.
That does not look like a position of strength when it comes to negotiating with PSG, but at least with their recent acquisition of Monaco forward Maghnes Akliouche and continued pursuit of Ferran Torres at Barcelona and Ajax star Mika Godts, we at least know that they are prepared to do business. But at what price?
Liverpool broke the bank last season for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak and we cannot yet say that either investment has truly paid off in the short term. That will make fans nervous about doing the same for a player who comes with great pedigree but perhaps not the numbers previously produced by both Wirtz and Isak.
Liverpool were wise to walk away when their £86m offer for Yan Diomande was point-blank refused by RB Leipzig, given what has become an over-inflated deal for potential. But time is running out for the Reds and at least with Bradley Barcola, Andoni Iraola would be getting a player who knows what it takes to win at the highest level and that attracts a premium as a result.
Talk of £145m is ridiculous. Liverpool would be misguided to pay that. However, it seems inevitable that the fee will exceed nine figures and a sensible middle ground would maybe be a £100m transfer fee with £15-20m in performance related add-ons.
That way, PSG have got good money for their player and if Barcola does live up to the hope of becoming the next Mohamed Salah then their addition remuneration will have been worth it.