Anfield officials continue to pursue Paris Saint-Germain and France winger Bradley Barcola as the club looks to strengthen their forward line ahead of the upcoming transfer window deadline.
The 23-year-old has emerged as a priority signing for the Merseyside club, with former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock suggesting the transfer is becoming increasingly likely after Barcola was omitted from PSG’s matchday squad for their Trophee des Champions encounter against Lens, which ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Barcola has made his position clear regarding a potential extension at the Parc des Princes, despite having two years left on his existing contract. The French champions are prepared to consider offers for the player, with negotiations with Liverpool ongoing.
PSG originally placed a valuation of €170m (£145m) on their attacker, and while differences remain between the two clubs over the fee, French broadcaster RMC Sport indicates Liverpool retain their enthusiasm to conclude a summer transfer. Reports from France suggest PSG are now prepared to consider offers in the region of €130m-€140m (£110m-£120m), representing a notable reduction from their initial demands.
Speaking about the negotiations, Warnock offered his assessment of PSG’s pricing strategy. He acknowledged the current transfer market valuations, citing the example of Morgan Rogers’ £117m price tag as context for PSG’s position, noting the club could reasonably argue their player has won the Champions League twice, represents France as a regular starter, and warrants significant compensation. While acknowledging these arguments, Warnock expressed his view that €170m would be excessive, suggesting a figure around £100m-£110m would be more appropriate, despite still being high by historical standards. The former full-back interpreted Barcola’s exclusion from the French Cup squad as a strong signal the transfer is close to completion.
Warnock also drew comparisons with Alexander Isak’s situation, questioning whether Barcola is being adequately prepared behind the scenes for his potential switch. He believed Barcola would not face unrealistic expectations to replicate Mohamed Salah’s contributions, noting Liverpool have successfully transitioned through different eras with players like Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Luis Suarez, and Steven Gerrard. Warnock suggested supporters would welcome a player capable of influencing matches through assists and creativity rather than directly replacing Salah’s goal-scoring record, with the expectation that goals would come from other attackers.
Mohamed Salah departed Anfield this summer following nine seasons at the club.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi offered a measured response when questioned about the speculation, stating the club operates calmly and focuses on delivering results rather than public discussion. Luis Enrique, meanwhile, indicated that when a player appears unhappy at the club, finding an alternative solution tends to be the preferred approach.