Bradley Barcola has been linked with a move to Liverpool throughout the summer transfer window, with the saga set to come to a close in the next week, one way or another
Bradley Barcola is one of the best young forwards in Europe
Bradley Barcola is one of the best young forwards in Europe(Image: (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images))
It's crunch time in the summer transfer window, as Liverpool's pursuit of Bradley Barcola enters a delicate and crucial stage of negotiations.
The Reds have been following a deal for the Paris Saint-Germain winger throughout the summer, but a gap in valuation has required patience from both sides to get a transfer switch completed.
While the two teams have been working toward a compromise, there is just one week left in the market, meaning those discussions will need to be ramped up toward a full agreement if the move is to be done. So far, Liverpool has seen offers turned down for Barcola, while the player appears keen on the move to Anfield over any other potential destination.
With that in mind, it seems as though there is confidence across the board that a move for the winger will be completed in the coming days.
According to Ben Jacobs, PSG bosses believe that Barcola will leave the club before the transfer window shuts, with club-to-club talks continuing over the weekend.
That could create a knock-on effect, with Cody Gakpo linked with a switch to Tottenham and Manchester City in the window, if the Reds complete another deal for a forward.
While Barcola could be one of those arrivals, Liverpool is also pushing for a deal to sign Yankuba Minteh from Brighton, after seeing two bids rejected for the Gambian international.
Liverpool has been handed an update on the future of Bradley Barcola
Liverpool has been handed an update on the future of Bradley Barcola(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)
That deal could move at pace, though the Barcola one, in comparison, has been more of a slow shuffle to an agreement, with PSG accepting that an exit could be on the cards.
"In terms of departures, we'll see what happens regarding Barcola and Mbaye," PSG senior adviser Luis Campos told French television over the weekend on the star.
"I understand your questions about them, but you also have to understand my position.
"We'll see what happens at the end of the window. Remember last year with (Gianluigi) Donnarumma, it was done at the end of the window. We'll see."
It certainly sets up an interesting few days for Liverpool to get the deal done, with Andoni Iraola in need of some wide options within his team.
Whether Barcola can then put all of that waiting behind him to get up to speed and make an impact right away is another question, however.