Liverpool continues to delay getting a deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola over the line, which could prove costly for the Reds in the short term
Bradley Barcola could join Liverpool in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window
Bradley Barcola could join Liverpool in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window(Image: (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
Bradley Barcola's potential move to Liverpool hasn't quite taken off yet, as the Reds still have some key hurdles to jump before a deal can be considered done.
While things appear to be fine between the player and club, with reports claiming that he has "given the green light" on a switch to Merseyside and potential personal terms, there are still club-to-club negotiations ongoing.
As things stand, the valuation remains the main sticking point between the two parties, with Paris Saint-Germain setting a high initial price on the star, while Liverpool is keen to reduce that before agreeing to a deal.
Those discussions have reached a delicate stage, as both clubs wish to hold out for the best deal possible with the deadline looming large, but some concessions will have to be made to get a transfer completed.
There is a balance to be struck, as Liverpool needs to complete the transfer but knows that any move will be expensive and could impact any other moves in this window or the next.
That balance also extends to the player himself, as any further delay could prove costly for the Reds, as was proven last summer with the transfer business conducted.
That surrounded a move for Alexander Isak, as Liverpool played a game with Newcastle to get a deal done for the striker, despite the Magpies' hesitation to complete one.
Alexander Isak during the Liverpool friendly against Leeds in Chicago
Alexander Isak during the Liverpool friendly against Leeds in Chicago(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Eventually, they gave in, allowing the Swedish international to move for a Premier League record fee, but it came with another price attached to it.
Having driven for the move, Isak went on strike over the summer and didn't take part in preseason, resulting in him being far from his physical best when he eventually made the move to Anfield.
That took some time, and perhaps cost Liverpool in many ways, before he could get up and running.
Unfortunately, by the time Isak was ready to compete and started to show his best, he picked up an injury that left him sidelined for months and halted his progression.
Those struggles stemmed from the lack of preseason and early matches in the season itself to build up fitness, something that could happen with Barcola if the same approach is taken.
The winger is yet to be involved in any of PSG's matches so far, sitting on the bench for the UEFA Super Cup final against Aston Villa, before he was omitted from the entire playing roster for the Trophee des Champions final against Lens over the weekend.
Each game missed is another opportunity missed to build up fitness to get back to his full capacity when he hopefully makes that switch to Liverpool.
It means each delay from the Reds in getting a deal done could have a knock-on effect for the rest of the campaign, with hopes that the star can hit the ground running in comparison to last summer's arrivals.