As Liverpool continue to push hard to complete the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided a new update.
The 23-year-old remains the Reds’ main wide target this summer, along with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, who has seen two Reds bids rejected by the Seagulls.
There is the lingering threat of Arsenal when it comes to Liverpool’s pursuit of Barcola, however, with journalist Mark Brus claiming as much in recent days:
“Liverpool and PSG still have no agreement on Barcola, there’s a significant gap in valuation,” one source explained. “Arsenal haven’t completely gone away, and could aggressively enter the conversation again if it becomes clear this deal is really stalling.”
Now, speaking on YouTube [via TEAMtalk], Romano has provided the latest on the situation, saying Liverpool remain “super optimistic” about signing Barcola:
“Don’t forget about Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye because both players once again are not part of the Paris Saint-Germain squad for the weekend. Bradley Barcola has been one of the sagas of the summer.
“If you are a friend of my YouTube channel, you heard Bradley Barcola to Liverpool since May, and I remain still super optimistic because Liverpool are working on it. There is a daily conversation with PSG. “I [didn’t] expect a breakthrough over the weekend. I always told you it’s going to be a slow deal.”
Liverpool missing out on Bradley Barcola would be embarrassing
Plenty of Liverpool fans are disgruntled by the lack of business throughout the summer transfer window, with Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle United exposing flaws within the squad.
Missing out on Barcola would be the straw that broke the camel’s back, though, considering he has been a priority target for weeks now, having been called “superb” by PSG manager Luis Enrique in the past.
It would be an embarrassing end to the saga, especially if Arsenal swoop in instead, but hopefully, Romano’s words come true, and Liverpool strike a deal this week.
The Reds need two wingers, a defensive midfielder and a right-back, but it doesn’t feel too promising that so much business will be completed in the coming days.