Liverpool are exploring alternative options for a second winger in addition to Bradley Barcola after withdrawing from talks over Yankuba Minteh.
The Reds were expected to make a third bid for the Brighton winger this week, but they have stepped back after Brighton raised their asking price to £80 million.
It is a nod to the Seagulls’ desire to retain the player and recognition of Liverpool’s desperation in the final week of the transfer window.
Fabrizio Romano maintains the club are “exploring different options for the second winger,” but Barcola remains the “first priority.”
Liverpool and PSG hold further Bradley Barcola talks
3D0G50G LEVERKUSEN - Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain at the Bay Arena on October 21, 2025, in Leverkusen, Germany. ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Bart Stoutjesdijk
3D0G50G LEVERKUSEN - Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain at the Bay Arena on October 21, 2025, in Leverkusen, Germany. ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Bart Stoutjesdijk
The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reported on Tuesday evening that PSG and Liverpool were “holding key talks” to “bring clarity” over the Frenchman’s transfer.
PSG still value the 23-year-old at around £145 million, but Liverpool “want to do a deal at closer to £100m,” knowing he has two years left on his contract and wants to move to Anfield.
Sky Sports add that talks between the two parties “have been described as positive” and “there is optimism that a deal can be struck.”
The transfer window closes next Tuesday and while messaging over Barcola remains unchanged, Liverpool have left themselves with little choice but to persist after leaving it so late.
They could have also lost ground on any potential deal for Ibrahim Mbaye after pivoting to Minteh, with L’Equipe‘s Loic Tanzi claiming a mystery club are now leading the race for his signature.
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 11: Ibrahim Mbaye of Paris Saint-Germain trains during a Paris Saint-Germain Training Session prior to the UEFA Super Cup 2026 at Stadion Salzburg on August 11, 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Leonhard Simon - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 11: Ibrahim Mbaye of Paris Saint-Germain trains during a Paris Saint-Germain Training Session prior to the UEFA Super Cup 2026 at Stadion Salzburg on August 11, 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Leonhard Simon - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Get French Football News‘ Bastien Cheval claimed PSG turned down Liverpool’s attempts to negotiate a combined deal for Barcola and Mbaye, with the French side encouraging bids for the latter.
Merseyside reporters had Mbaye linked as only one of a number of options on their shortlist, which also included Minteh, and the club will now consult their list again for possible alternatives.
Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Juventus’ Francisco Conceicao, and Chelsea‘s Pedro Neto have been mooted as possible names of interest, but as of yet there have been few credible links.
Cody Gakpo‘s future will also be tied to Liverpool’s pursuit of Barcola and an additional winger, but there are only six days left for the Reds to assemble the squad Andoni Iraola requires.
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NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton
JANUARY 19: Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and Hove Albion (Image: Mitchel Davidson/Alamy Live News)
Thiago, Wilson, Kadioglu, Arbeloa collage
Thiago, Wilson, Kadioglu, Arbeloa collage