Stephen Warnock believes Paris Saint-Germain's asking price for Bradley Barcola is justified given the current state of the transfer market, with the ex-Liverpool star describing the deal as "imminent"
Bradley Barcola has fallen down the pecking order at Paris Saint-Germain
Bradley Barcola has fallen down the pecking order at Paris Saint-Germain(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes this summer's transfer market has reached "insane" levels, yet concedes he can see why Paris Saint-Germain is holding firm on its £140 million ($190 million) valuation of Bradley Barcola.
The Reds have identified the PSG winger as their top target this summer following Mohamed Salah's departure at the end of the season, though negotiations have stalled as the French club continues to demand a fee that would surpass the club-record sum paid to Newcastle for Alexander Isak last year (£125 million/$170 million).
Barcola was omitted from both of PSG's games last week as the team lifted the UEFA Super Cup with victory over Aston Villa, before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Lens in the French Super Cup.
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While Warnock acknowledges that transfer fees are becoming increasingly difficult to comprehend, he understands why the Champions League holders are digging their heels in over an extraordinary sum for Barcola, who is keen to make the move to Merseyside in a transfer the former Red describes as "imminent."
"The market's insane," Warnock told PariuriX.com. "It's just off the charts. I understand PSG's stance when you look at Morgan Rogers going (to Chelsea) for £113 million ($153 million).
"They can say, 'We've got a player who's just won the Champions League twice, he's a French international, he's a starter for France, why shouldn't we be getting that sort of a fee?' And also, you're paying for the potential as well. So I get that.
Liverpool must replace Mohamed Salah
Liverpool must replace Mohamed Salah(Image: Getty Images)
"£170 million ($231 million), nowhere near. You don't touch it for that price. I think around £100-110 million ($136-149 million), it's still ludicrous in terms of fees these days, but in terms of the way the market has moved, it looks to be around that. Not being involved for the French Cup, it looks like it's imminent.
"However, I go back to the Isak situation and look at how has been training, what state he is going to be in and hopefully he knows that the move is going to happen and is preparing behind the scenes, ready to come into the football club. Because it doesn't sound like he's being isolated like Isak was at Newcastle."
Warnock continued: "The one thing that Liverpool were desperately missing last year was a player that can take people on, that can change games on their own, singlehandedly. I think we know Barcola can do that.
"I think the big question around Barcola is can he score the goals that Liverpool are gonna need. "However, Iraola will be looking at both Isak and Florian Wirtz as well, thinking that they can bring goals.
"Victor Munoz may bring goals on that left-hand side. I think he'll be hoping to get more goals from midfield as well. I think what he'll be hoping to do, very much like Arsenal, is trying to spread the load around and hope that it's not heavily reliant on one player.
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"It's an interesting one. You say players can't be replaced but throughout the years you've gone from Dalglish to Rush, Suarez, Gerrard. You find new players and you find different ways.
"I think Liverpool fans will be calm in the fact that it's not going to be Mohamed Salah, it's going to be a different type of player. If he can assist and provide and change games, then he'll become a legend straightaway and the fans will get right behind him.
"I don't think there will be that pressure to be the next Mohamed Salah. Because as you say, it's very difficult to replicate that. I think if you can be sort of in and around, I know it sounds daft, half his numbers and you're providing a lot for other players and then Isak and Wirtz start scoring goals, or if Cody Gakpo stays — whoever it is. It's going to be a completely different player."