Liverpool have kicked off talks with Paris Saint-Germain by sending a strong message to Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool are all-in on Bradley Barcola to be their next start signing. It comes one year after twice breaking their transfer record to rebuild their forward line - first for Florian Wirtz and again for Alexander Isak.
Those two signings were also Liverpool's first forays beyond the £100m barrier. The latter even broke the British transfer record.
And now Paris Saint-Germain want them to do it again. Reports indicate that PSG demand €180m for Barcola, or around £145m. They're using the £117m deal for Morgan Rogers as an example of how they've come to that figure, believing their player should be valued higher.
Now, on ability alone that's probably correct. But PSG are ignoring one major element of a transfer fee here: importance to the club that he's at.
PSG don't actually need Barcola and he doesn't take up a spot in their starting XI. They're also pushing through deals for other wingers, again reducing their need to hold onto such a player.
Barcola will have two years remaining on his contract, too. This is the last time they'll get anything like big money for him - and Liverpool feel that gives them strength.
Jacobs points out that Barcola was valued at €85m just one year ago. He's now closer to the end of his deal and certainly hasn't shown anything that should have doubled his valuation in just one year.
Liverpool also believe that the player wants to move to Anfield. Again, it creates a position of strength as nearly guarantees the Reds exclusive negotiation rights.
And so they'll tell PSG where they want to start negotiations and attempt to find some middle ground. In all truth, this could still end up being a record deal if things lean the Parisian's way - but Liverpool certainly aren't going to make life easy in negotiations.
