Liverpool have revealed the details of their successful transfer battle with Real Madrid for teenage goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, while former France defender Frank Leboeuf has criticised the club's £123m signing Bradley Barcola.
Brughmans deal details emerge
The 18-year-old Belgian signed for Liverpool on transfer deadline day in a £30m deal before returning to Genk on loan for the rest of the season. The fee made Brughmans the most expensive teenage goalkeeper in football history, with many tipping him to eventually succeed Alisson Becker, whose Anfield contract runs out next summer.
According to the Mail, the Belgian youth international had visited Madrid and appeared set to follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Thibaut Courtois. However, Liverpool swiftly submitted their proposal to Genk a day before the deadline and arranged for him to travel to Merseyside the next morning to complete his move.
Barcola fee criticised
Barcola has yet to register a goal or an assist for Liverpool since becoming the second-most expensive player in the club's history. The 24-year-old has not completed a full 90 minutes for the Reds and has been told he is not deserving of his £123m fee by Leboeuf.
Leboeuf said: "Bradley Barcola wasn't worth that money because nobody is, transfer fees have become astronomical across the board. That said, it's a great opportunity for Barcola to play for clubs like Lyon, PSG and now Liverpool."
Leboeuf, 58, did stress that supporters will need to exercise patience with Barcola. He said: "However, he needs time to adapt because the Premier League is different. He will get less space than he had at PSG under Luis Enrique."
"He joined a team undergoing significant changes after a difficult transition. Liverpool signed Isak, Ekitike, Wirtz and new full-backs and the team is still finding its rhythm."
Liverpool enter the international break sitting sixth in the Premier League under manager Andoni Iraola, having recorded three consecutive clean sheets, including a 1-0 win over Bournemouth. The defensive strength is a contrast to last season, when they conceded 73 goals across all competitions.
