Liverpool are turning up the heat on the transfer front as the Reds play Newcastle in their 2026/2027 Premier League opener on Sunday afternoon
Bradley Barcola of France is seen during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts
Bradley Barcola has been a transfer target for Liverpool all summer(Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images))
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The Andoni Iraola era begins in earnest this Sunday as Liverpool travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle United in their Premier League opener. But the new head coach may find himself doing so with a largely familiar squad around him.
Despite the summer window drawing to a close on September 1, the Reds' recruitment drive has yet to deliver the attacking reinforcements many had hoped to see lining up from the off on Tyneside. Victor Munoz, loanee Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jaquet represent the sum total of new faces likely to be involved in the matchday squad.
To compound matters further, Curtis Jones will be absent after completing a permanent switch to Inter Milan over the weekend, leaving the squad looking light in the final third.
The clock is ticking, but Liverpool are pushing hard to conclude deals for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola before the window slams shut on September 1. The ECHO takes a closer look at where both pursuits currently stand.
Barcola transfer boost
Liverpool's continued pursuit of Barcola is expected to bear fruit, according to BBC Sport. The Paris Saint-Germain winger has remained a priority target for the Reds throughout the summer window.
The outlet suggests that while the transfer is "dragging on", it is "very likely" that an agreement between PSG and Liverpool will be struck before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola during a training session at Stadion Salzburg, ahead of the UEFA Super Cup which takes place on Wednesday. Picture date: Tuesday August 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire.
Barcola could leave PSG this summer(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
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Feran Torres and Mika Godts have joined French forward Maghnes Akliouche as attacking reinforcements at PSG this summer, rendering Barcola's departure seemingly unavoidable. Speaking on the After Foot podcast, via the ECHO, French journalist Fabrice Hawkins also indicated that Liverpool could secure Barcola if certain conditions are met.
He maintains there is no appetite at PSG to keep hold of the young talent, though the sticking point remains his valuation, with PSG reportedly demanding £145m for the winger. Reports suggest that Liverpool have put forward verbal proposals, although no official written bids have yet been submitted.
It has also been indicated that the next formal written offer will be the one to clinch the deal, with a fee somewhere between £111m and £128m expected to be enough to get it over the line.
Minteh price tag set
The latest developments in Liverpool's pursuit of Brighton star Minteh have come to light, with the Seagulls reportedly demanding in excess of £70million for the winger.
Liverpool had an opening bid of £50m knocked back, and despite increasing that figure by £10m, a second offer was similarly rejected. The Athletic's David Ornstein, speaking to TNT Sports on Saturday, suggested the Reds' pursuit of the player "definitely stands a chance."
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates
Liverpool have had two bids rejected for Yankuba Minteh (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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However, he indicated that Liverpool have alternative targets should the figures surrounding the Gambian international prove "not right". He went on to say that Brighton are holding firm on a £70m fee "in excess of with add-ons".
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It was subsequently clarified that it remains unclear whether the Reds are prepared to stretch that far to get a deal over the line. Nevertheless, Liverpool could take a gamble on the player, according to Ornstein, with Minteh among the most sought-after wingers in the Premier League.