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Liverpool FC have plenty of work to do before the summer transfer window closes on September 1. Not to mention their season opener, at Newcastle United, is only five days away. As it currently stands, there are three transfer situations that are supposedly nearing completion, but have yet to be resolved: Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye and Curtis Jones.
Barcola were both left out of the squad entirely for Paris Saint-Germain in last night’s Trophée des Champions (French Super Cup, or the France version of the Community Shield) 1-0 loss to RC Lens.
ibrahim mbaye
ibrahim mbaye
The pair didn’t even travel with the rest of the team for this trophy match, amid strong expectations and assumptions that they’ll be on the move soon.
Both players have been linked to the Reds for quite some time, with the Barcola saga growing so tedious that it borders on comedy.
Rumors continue to swirl that agreements on personal terms with Liverpool have been reached, but ultimately, none of the really trusted outlets, or top transfer gurus are claiming that.
Not to mention we still don’t have any reported agreements on transfer fees either. The numbers being circulated in transfer rumors connected to Barcola, are eye-popping: £145 million, sometimes even £150m.
So until the financial fine print actually gets settled, Barcola and Mbaye still remain in the “talks ongoing” stage. Sorry, but that’s where we are right now on that.
Elsewhere Curtis Jones has been linked to Inter Milan for quite sometime, but this potential deal also remains not done.
🚨⚫️🔵 Inter are preparing a new bid for Curtis Jones as he remains the top target in midfield since January.
More contacts will take place soon as Inter spoke to his camp again and new bid is not linked to any other exit.
All depends on club to club agreement with #LFC. pic.twitter.com/d76F8HGZqB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 17, 2026
Inter have made no secret of their interest in Jones. But according to top transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, it’s still in the talking phase. It’s not even in the “advanced talks” stage either.
Jones is understood to want the move, but the two sides need to finally agree on a sale price first.
There are only two weeks left in the summer transfer window, and if Liverpool are going to buy two new wingers, and it’s clear that they want to, they’ll have to do it soon.
If it’s not Barcola and Mbaye, then they’ll have to go and find other targets.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor ofThe Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.