Liverpool Transfer News: Barcola and Mbaye Talks Gather Pace in Potential £155m PSG Double Deal
Liverpool’s summer looks like it could get expensive, quickly. According to TeamTalk, the club have made serious progress in a move for PSG pair Bradley Barcola and Ibrahima Mbaye, with a combined package worth around £155m now framed as achievable if Paris Saint-Germain soften their stance.
The key detail is simple enough. “Bradley Barcola and Ibrahima Mbaye are both waiting to hear from Paris Saint-Germain over ongoing talks with Liverpool, with personal terms already agreed in principle with the Anfield club, TEAMtalk can reveal.” That matters, because once personal terms are broadly in place, the conversation shifts to one thing only, price.
And price is the whole game here. PSG have reportedly wanted “close to £200million combined”, which always sounded inflated, even by modern market standards. The shift has come because “the arrival of Ajax winger Mika Godts has given them greater flexibility over their demands.” In other words, PSG have alternatives in the building and Liverpool are trying to exploit that.
Photo IMAGO
Barcola Deal Depends on PSG Valuation
Barcola was previously rated by PSG at around £145m, a number that looked prohibitive from the start. Now, “the player’s camp believe a deal closer to £125million should now be possible.” That is still enormous money, but at least it moves the discussion from fantasy into negotiation.
Barcola would be the headline signing. Liverpool need attacking depth and they need quality that can carry weight immediately. If Cody Gakpo leaves, the requirement becomes more urgent. TeamTalk states, “Liverpool are ready to sanction Cody Gakpo’s potential move to Tottenham Hotspur, but only if adequate cover is brought in.” That is standard squad management, not drama.
Mbaye Transfer Seen as More Flexible
The Mbaye situation looks more manageable financially. PSG have been “asking around £50million for the highly-rated youngster”, but there is also “a belief among those working on the transfer that he could be allowed to leave for closer to £30million.” That is a big drop, and it explains why Liverpool have not been scared off.
More importantly, “Liverpool are open to the idea of signing both Barcola and Mbaye and, crucially, have not told either camp that they must choose between one deal or the other.” That line tells you this is a genuine double-operation, not one name being used to pressure the other.
Andoni Iraola Planning Shapes Liverpool Summer
The wider squad picture is driving this. “With a replacement for Mohamed Salah already required, that would leave room in the squad and budget for Barcola and Mbaye in theory.” Liverpool are planning ahead, and Andoni Iraola’s view appears aligned with that. TeamTalk adds, “We understand head coach Andoni Iraola is also comfortable with Gakpo leaving, but only if Liverpool bring in a replacement.”
There is another clue in Paris. “Both Barcola and Mbaye were left out of Sunday’s Trophée des Champions clash with Lens,” which is usually the sort of selection call that starts people talking for a reason. It does not guarantee exits, but it rarely means everything is settled either.
So this comes down to PSG blinking. Liverpool have done the groundwork, personal terms are there in principle, and the structure of a double signing is realistic. Now they need the selling club to stop pretending every negotiation begins at full retail.
Our View
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report is exciting, but it also raises the same old frustration. Why does every deal feel like it has to be dragged through a hedge first? If Barcola is the top target, get on with it. If Mbaye is seen as part of the future, stop circling and decide whether he is worth the money.
The bit that jumps out is the repeated emphasis on PSG’s valuation. Fine. Selling clubs overprice players, that is football. But Liverpool have known that from day one. If the club really believe Barcola can move for around £125m and Mbaye for around £30m, then the framework is obvious. You either pay for conviction or you walk away. This endless middle ground is what annoys supporters.
There is also the Gakpo angle. Letting him go only “if adequate cover is brought in” sounds sensible, but Liverpool have had enough windows where the club behave as if replacing quality is some kind of surprise administrative burden. Salah already needs replacing in the broader sense, even if not like-for-like, and that should have been central to planning months ago.
Barcola looks like the marquee option, Mbaye looks like the upside play, and signing both would send a serious message. But supporters have heard about structures, valuations and ongoing talks before. At some point, Liverpool need to act like a club that knows exactly what it wants, and is prepared to pay for it.
Source: TeamTalk