Liverpool can start counting down their deal for Bradley Barcola. Paris Saint-Germain sound ready to agree.
Bradley Barcola to Liverpool? That's the big one this summer and the Reds are currently trying to convince Paris Saint-Germain to let him go.
Or at least, let him go for anything resembling reasonable money. The Athletic are among those reporting that PSG want €180m for the winger - or around £145m. It would be the third-biggest transfer in history if it went through but surely Liverpool can talk them down?
We're fans of Barcola but there's a limit. £145m for a player who isn't currently in PSG's best XI feels like robbery and we're hoping this is a case of the European champions simply wanting to replace him before signing off on any sale.
If that is indeed the case then this one took a giant step forward on Thursday as Fabrizio Romano reported that PSG were close to an agreement with AS Monaco over Maghnes Akliouche.
And now things are heading in an even better direction. Teamtalk reports that PSG are pushing forward and closing in on Ferran Torres from Barcelona.
Signing both players would actually give them an attacking surplus, meaning holding onto Barcola could be a waste of money every week. They'd almost certainly lower the asking price and sell for something approaching reasonable.
We do believe, then, that this Torres deal could be what ultimately sends Barcola to Liverpool. It's in a roundabout way, of course, but it feels like exactly the kind of thing necessary to get talks moving properly.
Then we can start discussing whether Barcola is actually the right man for the Reds...
