Liverpool have been chasing Bradley Barcola ever since missing out on Yan Diomande.
The Ivorian, 19, was the No1 winger target to replace Mohamed Salah with the Reds submitting an offer of up to €100m to RB Leipzig. That bid was knocked back however with Diomande going on to complete a money-spinning deal to join Real Madrid.
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Since then Barcola has been the focus.
Bradley Barcola is Liverpool’s first choice
The 23-year-old has been reduced to a squad option at Paris Saint-Germain with Luis Enrique adding Mika Godts to his roster this summer.
Accordingly the two-time European champions are ready to listen to bids for the France international who has only two years left on his deal. However the Ligue 1 side are playing hardball with Liverpool – demanding up to £145m for his services.
It’s understandable that Liverpool are reluctant to pay that price for Barcola – which would represent a new British transfer record.
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Liverpool won’t pay £145m for Barcola
Talks have been centred on reducing the fee – with the sporting director Richard Hughes not keen to pay more than around £100m.
But there could be a sting in the tail for the Anfield side with PSG concocting a plan which would push Barcola’s price tag even higher.
According to a report in L’Equipe – as cited by Foot01 – the Parisians are optimistic of drawing out a bid from ANOTHER Premier League club.
That club is believed to be Arsenal – with a bid coming from the Emirates sure to spark a bidding war for Barcola’s services.
PSG to get another Premier League bid for Barcola
“PSG have accepted the idea of selling the French international and have a plan to push the price higher,” the report reads.
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“Within the Paris club, there is now little doubt that Barcola will leave.
“Liverpool are reluctant to go beyond €110 million, a figure PSG regard as insufficient, but an approach from another English club could change everything.
“The French newspaper says PSG expect another Premier League giant to make an offer for Barcola soon.
“For PSG, the involvement of a second English club would be a major opportunity to inflate the price.”
Arsenal would love to sign Barcola
Arsenal would not be merely a stalking horse in this race either. Mikel Arteta has got serious designs on upgrading his attack.
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Leandro Trossard has already departed for Besiktas while Gabriel Martinell would be sold if the right bid is activated. The Premier League champions tried to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid before the Brazil inked his new contract extension.
It’s clear that the Gunners consider their attack a work in progress and would love to onboard Barcola.
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