Liverpool Transfer Latest as David Lynch Expects Bradley Barcola Move and Weighs Ibrahim Mbaye
Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola appears to be moving towards a decisive stage, according to David Lynch, with the journalist expressing strong confidence over the PSG winger’s prospects of ending up at Anfield.
Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lynch was asked about developments after Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye were named in PSG’s initial squad, then watched from the stands rather than featuring in the playing squad. Davis also referenced Luis Enrique’s comments before the game: “When a player doesn’t have a smile when coming here, it’s better to look for another solution.”
Barcola Deal Looks Increasingly Clear
Lynch’s assessment of Bradley Barcola was strikingly confident.
“The talks are ongoing. I wonder whether the next thing that we’ll hear about this is a kind of done deal, to be honest, because the talks have been going on for a while. Everybody knows what’s going on.”
He then reduced the situation to its essential parts: “PSG are willing sellers. Liverpool are willing buyers.”
Lynch added: “PSG have kind of fulfilled their end of the bargain, which is getting everybody in that they needed to replace, and Barcola wants Liverpool.”
That combination has left Lynch with few concerns over the direction of the proposed transfer.
“I’ve never really had any big worries about this deal, really,” he said, while acknowledging the possibility of an unexpected club entering proceedings with a significant offer.
Photo: IMAGO
Even with that possibility, his expectation remained clear: “It just feels like this is all pointing towards Liverpool eventually getting the man.”
Later in the discussion, Lynch repeated that confidence, saying Barcola is a player he “just expect[s] to end up at Liverpool”.
Ibrahim Mbaye Picture Remains Less Certain
The conversation around Ibrahim Mbaye carried significantly more uncertainty.
“In terms of Mbaye, still don’t really know where that one’s going to go,” Lynch said.
He explained that he had previously “been cautioned against writing him as kind of the only option there”, adding that Mbaye is “one of a number that they’re looking at”.
“Maybe it does end up being him, but it doesn’t feel as kind of open and shut as the Barcola case really, I would say.”
Lynch underlined his position again: “I really do expect that he will end up at Liverpool. With Mbaye, I’m not quite sure, but he could do.”
Photo: IMAGO
PSG Valuation Could Shape Liverpool Strategy
Davis then raised reports surrounding talks over Mbaye, including the suggestion that PSG’s valuation was currently considered too high.
Lynch offered two possible explanations for how Liverpool could proceed. There could be another target “we just don’t know anything about that’s being worked on in the background”, or Liverpool could take negotiations with PSG towards the conclusion of the transfer window.
He outlined how that approach could look, saying Liverpool may effectively tell PSG: “You’re trying to up the price for us. We will just push this to the very end of the window, where you could end up losing out on cash.”
Lynch also referenced the noise coming from Mbaye’s side: “The player wants us more than anyone”, before explaining that he still does not have the same clarity over Mbaye that he has regarding Barcola.
Two Liverpool Attacking Additions Remain Possible
Liverpool’s plans could involve two attacking additions if Cody Gakpo leaves.
“One thing you can say is Liverpool want two, particularly if they’re going to let Gakpo go,” Lynch said.
His expectation over one of those positions is straightforward: “One of them I expect to be Barcola.”
The identity of the second remains open. As Lynch put it: “Who the other one is? Maybe Mbaye, but maybe not.”
That represents the clearest message from Lynch’s discussion with Davis on Media Matters. His expectation is firmly that Bradley Barcola will end up at Liverpool, while Ibrahim Mbaye remains one of the options being considered, with PSG’s valuation and Liverpool’s other potential targets leaving that situation less certain.