France international Bradley Barcola has been linked with Liverpool throughout the summer transfer window after falling down the pecking order at Paris Saint-Germain
Bradley Barcola is being linked with Liverpool
Bradley Barcola is being linked with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool fans are speculating whether Bradley Barcola is on his way to Merseyside after discovering a scheduled flight from Paris.
Barcola, 23, is one of Liverpool's top transfer targets this summer following Mohamed Salah's exit. Recent reports suggest the Reds are yet to agree a transfer fee with Paris Saint-Germain for the World Cup star, who is said to be keen on completing a switch.
Barcola was left on the bench on Wednesday for PSG's 2-1 victory against Aston Villa in the European Super Cup. PSG boss Luis Enrique opted to start Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue for the one-off game, with both forwards scoring in Salzburg, Austria.
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Maghnes Akliouche, PSG's summer signing, also started the game, while talisman Ousmane Dembele came off the bench. Barcola has struggled to break into Enrique's starting XI due to the quality at the Spanish coach's disposal, which has fueled transfer speculation.
Several clubs have been linked with Barcola throughout this summer, but none more so than Liverpool. Speculation only grew on Thursday when a scheduled flight from Paris to Blackpool, a town near Liverpool, was spotted on Flightradar24.
The aircraft, due to depart at 17:45 pm local time, is a private jet operated by ExcellentAir, which is believed to have put on flights for Liverpool before. That's led Liverpool fans to speculate whether Barcola will be on board the scheduled flight to complete a transfer.
Barcola played for France at this year's World Cup
Barcola played for France at this year's World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
Yet this is purely speculation at this stage, and there's no evidence to suggest the scheduled flight is for Barcola. It may also be tricky for him to be back in Paris by Thursday to catch the flight to Blackpool, given that he was in Salzburg on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, the Frenchman will continue to be linked with the Reds over the coming weeks. PSG's president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, was asked about Barcola's future after his team's win on Wednesday.
He said: "We're working calmly. We don't talk too much. I can’t say whether he will leave or not. Today, he is a PSG player. We'll see."
Enrique was also asked about Barcola before the game. He said: "I don’t know, and I don’t want to speak about any player individually, because it’s always dangerous when you are asking something positive or negative about a player. I stay focused on my team."
Barcola has won several trophies during his three years in Paris, including three Ligue 1 titles and the Champions League twice. He's scored 39 times in 152 appearances for PSG and was part of France's squad for this summer's World Cup, finding the net three times.
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The Reds have made three signings this summer. Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo have arrived from Rennes and Barcelona, respectively, to shore up the defense, while World Cup winner Victor Munoz will offer Andoni Iraola some pace on the wing.
Yet Liverpool still needs to find a replacement for Salah, who has completed a free transfer to Turkish side Trabzonspor.
The Reds are also missing Hugo Ektike following his Achilles injury at the back end of last season. The Frenchman hopes to play during the second half of the campaign, but there are no guarantees he will be fit given the severity of his injury.