Liverpool transfer news amid a Bradley Barcola update and a supposed Ibrahim Mbaye 'decision', with little more than a week remaining to do deals in the summer window
PSG duo Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola.
PSG duo Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola.(Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is set for a busy few days in the transfer market, with the Reds still in need of at least a couple more signings before the deadline a week on Tuesday.
"We will definitely sign some players," Andoni Iraola, the Liverpool head coach, told Jamie Carragher this week. "Some deals you have to wait until the end. But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1, because it is true that we are still quite thin."
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today, with forward options very much the priority.
Bradley Barcola (PSG)
PSG has decided to leave Bradley Barcola out of its squad for Sunday's trip to Rennes in Ligue 1, amid continued transfer interest from Liverpool.
The Reds have seen a second bid worth $82 million (£60 million) rejected for Yankuba Minteh, with Brighton said to be holding out for around $95 million (£70 million).
But Barcola, the French international forward, remains a priority as well, even though the clock is ticking towards the September 1 transfer deadline.
Bradley Barcola of PSG.
Bradley Barcola of PSG.(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Having been left out last weekend by PSG, that stance continues into matchday one of the new league campaign, with Luis Enrique also set to do without Ibrahim Mbaye while his future is sorted out.
Barcola sat out the French Super Cup defeat to Lens recently and was left on the bench during the UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa.
Liverpool.com says: This could be a big week for transfer breakthroughs. The Reds certainly need to hope so. Barcola is the top target and not getting it over the line at this stage of the summer is almost unthinkable.
Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG)
Another who could leave PSG in the next week or so, Mbaye is said to be valued at around $82 million (£60 million). Liverpool, RMC Sport says, has decided that it is unwilling to reach that kind of sum.
Mbaye is someone that the Reds have considered this summer, but Minteh may be higher up the list at this stage. The Reds have already made two bids for the Gambian.
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Mbaye, 18, would come with the advantage of becoming homegrown in three years, as he is young enough to come in for that period before turning 21. Minteh is already 22, but has more experience of senior soccer having also played for Feyenoord.
Liverpool.com says: Minteh or Mbaye coming in alongside Barcola would be the ideal scenario. Not bringing in two players would be a concern, with Iraola already having admitted as much.