One journalist has claimed that, if Bradley Barcola were to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the current transfer window, Liverpool would be his preferred destination.
The French forward has reportedly been the Reds’ primary target for most of the summer and have seen an opening offer of €105m (£89.9m) plus add-ons rejected by the Champions League holders, who are seeking a figure closer to £145m (BBC Sport).
Arsenal are also understood to have been ‘chasing’ the 23-year-old (Sky Sports), although it’d seem that the player prefers Merseyside over north London.
Speaking on Born ‘N Red, Ben Jacobs outlined that ‘Barcola wants Liverpool, but ultimately PSG will sell to the highest bidder’, adding that the Gunners would only come into the equation if Vinicius Junior opts to remain with Real Madrid and the Premier League champions decide not to pursue Julian Alvarez as an alternative target.
The journalist added: “Were Arsenal, with other targets like Iliman Ndiaye for example, to enter the Barcola race, they would probably have to meet PSG’s asking price and hope Liverpool back off.
“If it is Arsenal versus Liverpool, both with agreements with PSG, then my information is that Barcola is leaning towards Liverpool.”
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If the player’s preference is indeed for a move to Anfield rather than the Emirates Stadium, that’d theoretically give the Reds a much stronger chance of signing him from PSG.
However, the single biggest obstacle in this high-profile pursuit is obviously the gargantuan price tag that the European champions have placed on the 23-year-old in a clear statement of their intent to either keep him or to only sell him at a premium.
That may partly explain why Liverpool are also pursuing a potential move for Barcola’s teammate Ibrahim Mbaye, who’s much less proven at the highest level but would at least be more readily attainable at a reported valuation of €40m-€50m (£34.3m-£42.9m).
The ideal scenario would be to land the France international, who’d give the Reds an elite replacement for Mo Salah in the forward line, but FSG can’t afford not to reinforce the wide attacking positions this month (especially on the right, where Federico Chiesa is our only natural senior option).
The 23-year-old’s reported preference for Anfield is helpful, but convincing PSG to let him leave would almost certainly require an outlay to either rival or exceed the club-record fee paid for Alexander Isak nearly a year ago.
The question remains – just how high are Liverpool prepared to go for Barcola?
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Arsenal want a left winger if they don’t get vinicius junior then it makes sense they would try to get Barcola. If Arsenal do sign the Brazilian then it leaves Real Madrid short in that position. Why wouldn’t Real Madrid go after Barcola. This transfer saga which has dragged on all summer is far from being over. We dragged our feet and we could get gazumped.
PSG want a bidding war, they are waiting on what Arsenal do. Barcola won’t turn down Real Madrid that’s for sure.
Why oh why are we once again hesitating is bringing in new players ?? Forget Barcola PSG are pricing us out..take Mbaye..then use rest of money to buy Asencio from RM he can cover CB & RB…sell Gakpo and buy Wharton ..for gods sake do some business before its too late Hughes get your thumb from up your ass !!!!
Don’t break the bank for Barcola- if PSG demand a ridiculous figure, then walk away. Get Mbaye and go gor Rayan instead of Barcola.
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