Liverpool have been given a major boost in their quest to sign Bradley Barcola, with TeamTalk understanding that the Paris Saint-Germain star’s camp is actively exploring a move this summer – although it would take a British-record fee to pry him away from the French champions.
PSG have continued to publicly insist that Barçaola is not for sale.
However, we have already revealed that the player’s representatives have been working behind the scenes on his future for several weeks and have already held discussions with several of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Sources have confirmed that Barcola informed PSG ahead of the World Cup that he wanted to assess his options after slipping down the pecking order in Luis Enrique’s formidable attacking unit.
Khvitcha Kvaratskheliya, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Dou are now considered one of the club’s favorite three players, leaving Barkola increasingly frustrated with his role – highlighted by the fact that he saw very little game time in the Champions League semi-finals and final.
Their representatives also declined the opportunity to begin contract negotiations earlier this year.
It has become a growing concern inside PSG, given that the 25-cap France international – who is preparing for Thursday’s World Cup quarter-final against Morocco – has only two years left on his current contract.
TeamTalk understands that PSG intend to hold fresh talks with Barcola after returning from the World Cup, although we can reveal what sources are now saying on his future and why a Premier League transfer – and possibly to Liverpool – is looking an increasing possibility…
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PSG reluctantly approves Barcola sale
Should he again reject a new contract and reiterate his desire to leave, sources believe the Ligue 1 giants would reluctantly consider sanctioning a sale.
The intermediaries involved in the process have now informed the interested clubs about the financial demands.
He believes PSG will demand around €150 million (£128 million, $172 million) for the 23-year-old, a fee that would surpass the current British transfer record of £125 million paid by Liverpool to sign Alexander Isak last summer.
and remain red Firmly They are looking for a replacement for Mohamed Salah.
We understand that Barcola has emerged as the Reds’ priority attacking target, as the previous main option, Yann Diomande, made it clear he wanted to join PSG instead.
read more: : Yann Diomande urged to sign for Liverpool as double PSG raid casts doubt over €130m transfer
The French champions are confident of completing a deal for Diomande from RB Leipzig and are also close to landing Monaco forward Magnus Akliouche as a replacement for Lee Kang-in.
PSG are also continuing their search for a new number 9 following the departure of Goncalo Ramos.
As TeamTalk has previously revealed, 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 forward.
Meanwhile, Juventus have restarted talks over Randal Kolo Muani, who is also expected to leave Paris this summer.
Those departures mean PSG are no longer dependent on the sale of Barça to finance further business.
Instead, sources reveal that the club’s stance is simple: if Barkola pushes to leave and his assessment is completed, they will not stand in his way.
However, Liverpool are not alone. Sources can confirm that Arsenal will continue to monitor the situation and will be in touch over a potential move.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side are currently focusing their efforts on Aston Villa star Morgan Rodgers and completing both deals in the same window is considered extremely unlikely. An update on Rodgers’ move to the Emirates Stadium emerged on Wednesday, with the Gunners preparing for a huge opening bid after being given a crucial green light.
Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have also been kept fully informed of developments, while Bayern Munich are closely monitoring developments from Germany.
With PSG’s valuation now established, only a select group of clubs have the financial muscle required to pull off such a blockbuster transfer.
Read further: : Fabrizio Romano crushes Bradley Barkola’s Arsenal theory on three reasons why Liverpool still believe