Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, with negotiations underway and a fee likely to approach the £125m paid to Newcastle for Alexander Isak. The move comes less than a week before the transfer window closes, following Liverpool's withdrawal from the bidding for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh.
From shrewd operators to haphazard spenders
Liverpool have long judged their standards against bitter rivals Manchester United, using European Cups, league title wins and managerial talent as barometers. The Merseysiders have been English champions twice since United last managed the feat in 2013, and have won a sixth Champions League/European Cup, double the number of times United have lifted club football's biggest trophy.
Not long ago, Liverpool's owners watched United spend heavily on expensive signings that proved wasteful. In that same period, Liverpool conducted their own business with ruthless stealth, keeping big targets under the radar until a deal was nearly complete. This happened with Virgil Van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Alisson and Luis Diaz.
Record fees and disappointments
In recent seasons, Liverpool have changed tack. Last summer, they broke the British transfer record twice in a matter of weeks: Florian Wirtz arrived for £116m, followed by Alexander Isak at £125m. Both have been huge disappointments. Now, 12 months on, Liverpool could break their own record again for Barcola.
Liverpool bid £60m for Brighton's Minteh, but Brighton wanted £80m. Brighton's track record of making profit on previously unheralded talent is second to none, and they knew how desperate Liverpool had become. Liverpool have created a situation where every selling club knows how keen they are to make quick signings, adding millions to the value of targets.
Unanswered questions and mounting pressure
Liverpool knew in March that Mo Salah would be leaving, yet have taken this long to attempt to sign another right winger. New manager Andoni Iraola needs a winger, defensive midfielder and forward, but Liverpool have still not signed a player they've been negotiating for since the end of the World Cup.
Owners FSG have allowed sporting director Richard Hughes to continue in charge of signings despite his expected departure in the coming weeks. Liverpool finished fifth in the table last season, 25 points behind champions Arsenal, and nothing this summer suggests the gap will be closed anytime soon.
