Liverpool have received strong support in their bid to sign Bradley Barcola, with TEAMtalk understanding the Paris Saint-Germain star’s camp are actively considering a move this summer – although it would require a UK record fee to snatch him away from the French champions.
PSG continues to publicly insist that Barcola is not for sale.
However, we have already reported that the player’s representatives have been working behind the scenes for several weeks on his future and have already held talks with a number of the largest clubs in Europe.
Sources have confirmed Barcola told PSG ahead of the World Cup that he wants to assess his options after lowering the hierarchy in Luis Enrique’s formidable attacking side.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Désiré Douai are now considered the club’s preferred front three, leaving Barkola increasingly frustrated with his role, as evidenced by the fact that he saw very little game time in the semi-finals and final of the Champions League.
His representatives also rejected the possibility of starting contract negotiations earlier this year.
This is a growing concern at PSG given the 25-cap France international, who is preparing for the World Cup quarter-final against Morocco, has just two years left on his current contract.
TEAMtalk understands PSG are set to hold fresh talks with Barcola once he returns from the World Cup, although we can reveal what sources are now saying about his future and why a transfer to the Premier League – and most likely to Liverpool – is looking increasingly likely…
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PSG reluctantly approves sale of Barcola
If he again turns down a new contract and confirms his desire to leave, sources believe the Ligue 1 giants will be reluctant to consider authorizing a sale.
The intermediaries involved in this process have already communicated the financial requirements to the interested clubs.
They believe PSG will seek around €150m (£128m, $172m) for the 23-year-old, a figure that would eclipse the current UK transfer record of £125m paid by Liverpool to sign Alexander Isak last summer.
And the red ones remain firmly looking for a replacement for Mohamed Salah.
We understand that Barcola has emerged as the Reds’ priority attacking target after previous leading man Yann Diomande made it clear he wanted to join PSG instead.
READ MORE: Yann Diomande urged to sign for Liverpool as PSG double raid casts €130m transfer in doubt
The French champions remain confident of completing a deal for RB Leipzig’s Diomande and are also on the cusp of signing Monaco striker Magnes Akluche as a replacement for Lee Kang-In.
PSG are also continuing their search for a new number nine following the departure of Goncalo Ramos.
As TEAMtalk previously reported, Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Crupi remains one of their priority targets, although Tottenham Hotspur are preparing a major bid of their own for the highly-rated French striker.
Meanwhile, Juventus have resumed negotiations for Randal Kolo Muani, who is also expected to leave Paris this summer.
The departures mean PSG are not counting on selling Barcola to finance further business.
Instead, sources indicate that the club’s position is simple: if Barcola insists on leaving and their assessment is satisfied, they will not stand in his way.
However, Liverpool is not alone. Sources can confirm Arsenal are continuing to monitor the situation and are in contact over a possible move.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side are currently concentrating their efforts on Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, with both deals being completed in the same window seen as unlikely. An update on Rodgers’ move to the Emirates Stadium emerged on Wednesday, with the Gunners preparing a huge opening bid following a significant green light.
Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have also been fully informed of the developments, while Bayern Munich continues to closely monitor developments from Germany.
Now that PSG’s valuation has been established, only a select group of clubs have the financial muscle needed to complete such a high-profile transfer.
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