Andoni Iraola via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Liverpool have been handed a major boost amid their interest in Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye. The Reds are still looking for a new winger as they look to replace Mohamed Salah, who left at the end of his contract.
Andoni Iraola was fortunate to inherit a squad that received huge investment last summer, meaning he doesn't have too many needs this summer, but a winger signing is undoubtedly required, even after Victor Muñoz was added in an early summer deal.
PSG star Barcola has been heavily linked, with the France World Cup star seemingly wanting to move on to become a regular starter elsewhere, but the French club are demanding huge money. It's claimed a minimum of €130million (£111million) is going to be required for Barcola, and perhaps up to €150million (£128.4m).
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But Barcola is not the only PSG winger Liverpool are interested in, with 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye also emerging as a possible signing, and maybe even as well as Barcola. Mbaye, despite his relative inexperience, is said to carry an asking price of around £60million.
In a major boost for Liverpool on both of those deals, PSG have decided to leave both Barcola and Mbaye out of their squad for this weekend's clash with Rennes on Sunday. PSG have not offered any real explanation for the omissions, beyond both are looking likely to leave the club this summer.
But the decision will only intensify the transfer rumours, and Liverpool fans will be getting excited over possible deals in the wake of the news. It's unclear whether the Reds will try to sign one or both of the wingers this summer, but there have been suggestions that they could look to snap up both.
Liverpool's attacking options
Cody Gakpo
Victor Muñoz
Rio Ngumoha
Federico Chiesa
Alexander Isak
Hugo Ekitike
What Luis Enrique has said
Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique talking during a press conference
Asked about Barcola leaving this summer, PSG boss Luis Enrique said just over a week ago: "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.
“We are a very young, very ambitious team. It is important for us to make changes and look for players who enjoy playing our way and who love playing for PSG. When a player doesn’t want to come here, or doesn’t have a smile on their face about being here, it is better to find another solution.” Now it is all eyes on Liverpool to see if they can offer an amount PSG are willing to work with.