Liverpool have agreed a £120million deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola after a prolonged transfer saga, with Andoni Iraola breaking his silence on the business
Andoni Iraola was asked about Bradley Barcola after Liverpool agreed a deal to sign the PSG winger
Andoni Iraola was asked about Bradley Barcola after Liverpool agreed a deal to sign the PSG winger(Image: Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola refused to speak about Bradley Barcola's potential arrival at Anfield, despite Liverpool reaching a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain. The Reds will pay £120million for the 23-year-old winger, having seemingly secured their marquee man of the window.
However, with any agreement dependent on a medical, Iraola isn't willing to speak about the Frenchman until the deal is complete. Speaking during a press conference on Thursday ahead of Liverpool's clash with Nottingham Forest, the Spaniard said: "As you know, we are trying to sign in that position.
"We can't talk about players who right now aren't ours. But we are trying to improve and fill that position as we don't have the numbers. I hope we have good news soon but we are still not there."
It comes as long negotiations have seemingly paid off for the Reds, given they have spent the best part of the summer pursuing Barcola despite swift pushbacks from PSG. The Ligue 1 giants initially wanted around £145m for the forward, highlighting his ability as well as his importance to the team.
But with the transfer window set to slam shut on Tuesday, it now seems as though the two clubs have reached a compromise. As per The Athletic, Liverpool and PSG have agreed on a final package of around £120m, which will make Barcola the second-most expensive arrival at Anfield of all time behind Alexander Isak, who joined the club in a last-minute £125m move from Newcastle 12 months ago.
It is suggested that around £100m is guaranteed for Barcola, with the rest of the fee coming in the form of add-ons. Fenway Sports Group president, Mike Gordon, alongside sporting director, Richard Hughes, handled negotiations with PSG, with the final terms being thrashed out on Thursday.
Already behind Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue in the pecking order at the Parc des Princes, PSG have also welcomed the likes of Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts to their attacking line this summer.
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That has further heightened Les Parisiens' need to offload Barcola, who has fallen out of favour under Luis Enrique. It comes as the Reds look to finish strong in the transfer window, having already bolstered Iraola's first-team with the likes of Victor Munoz permanently and Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan.
However, there could also be further departures upon the arrival of Barcola, with Cody Gakpo's future up in the air on Merseyside. Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be interested in the Dutchman, who also operates on the left.
manchester-city-fc>Manchester City are also said to be tailing the 27-year-old.