Paris Saint-Germain may now be prepared to partially compromise on their asking price for Bradley Barcola, according to one transfer insider.
The 23-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool throughout the summer, with Fabrizio Romano reporting on Friday that the two clubs are in daily negotiations over a potential move to Anfield for the winger.
Although the player is very much open to joining the Reds, the value of a prospective transfer has proven to be a stumbling block thus far, with PSG having set an asking price of £145m for the France international (TEAMtalk).
PSG have reduced their asking price for Barcola
Andoni Iraola’s side now appear to have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Barcola, whose price tag has reportedly been lowered as the 1 September deadline draws closer.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Alex Crook said: “Liverpool fans are getting a little bit concerned about their lack of squad depth heading into the new season. It’s not been a brilliant pre-season campaign for Andoni Iraola.
“We know they’re keen on Bradley Barcola. We reported exclusively on talkSPORT some weeks ago now that he wanted to make the move to Anfield, but that £145m asking price set by PSG has been a real turn-off for Liverpool.
“I’ve been told this morning that could come down a bit to £125m. That would equal the Premier League record fee that Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak.
“I don’t think they have the appetite even to go that high for Barcola but PSG are bringing in reinforcements out wide. Ferran Torres is a done deal [that transfer has now been confirmed]; he won’t be the only new arrival either.”
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Surely Liverpool will bid for Barcola now?
If the European champions are indeed prepared to knock £20m off their asking price for Barcola, then Liverpool would be foolish not to at least test the waters with PSG, especially after their capture of the World Cup final goalscorer today.
The Reds mightn’t go as high as £125m with an opening offer for the French winger, perhaps hoping that Luis Enrique’s side could compromise on a lower amount, although that figure should be attainble for LFC if they’re truly intent on landing the 23-year-old.
If the Parisians also sign Mika Godts from Ajax (a verbal agreement has reportedly been struck), such would be the surplus of forwards at the Parc des Princes that they’d surely have too many mouths to feed unless they offload one or two of their current options.
It’s taken a while for the Barcola pursuit to properly take flight, but there’s been a sense of growing momentum over the past few days, with the imminent transfer deadline forcing a decision to soon be made one way or the other.
The more that this story goes on, the more it feels as though Liverpool will eventually get their man and make an emphatic statement in Iraola’s first summer in charge at Anfield.