Liverpool are expected to submit an official bid of €115m for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, according to reliable L'Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi. However, Tanzi warned that a deal is "still a long way off" despite the Reds' decision to move to a more concrete phase of their pursuit.
Barcola bid imminent
Tanzi revealed that Liverpool have "decided to move to a more concrete phase" and are "expected to submit an offer estimated at €115m" for the 23-year-old Frenchman, who has rejected a new contract at PSG. PSG's leadership, including manager Luis Enrique, have "repeatedly stated since the beginning of their joint project that no player will be kept against his will."
For Liverpool, "there are no concrete negotiations with another player to fill Barcola's position," though the club's management have "asked their scouting department to remain active in this area so they can react quickly should the search fail." Arsenal, who missed out on Vinicius Junior after he signed a new six-year contract at Real Madrid, could also enter the race.
Centre-back targets emerge
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel that Liverpool could consider a move for a centre-back in the final weeks of the transfer window. "For Liverpool, keep an eye also on centre-backs, because what I'm hearing is that Liverpool could consider a move for a centre-back in this summer transfer window in these final weeks," Romano said. "More than right-back in this moment, I would keep an eye also on the centre-back position."
With Virgil van Dijk as the only fit senior centre-back, the Reds have been linked with Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa and Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande. The Guardian reported that Arsenal "could face competition from Liverpool" for Konsa, while Sebastien Vidal claimed Liverpool "could take advantage" of Diomande's availability after his move to Nottingham Forest broke down.
Other transfer news
Liverpool face competition for Ibrahim Mbaye, with Tanzi reporting that a host of German and English clubs are interested. Antonio Nusa has insisted he "never expressed a desire to leave Leipzig," and Darwin Nunez is claimed to have "previously been monitored by Tottenham," though no formal bid has been made.
Nonsense of the day
Real Madrid announced the signing of Yan Diomande for €134m, with The Athletic revealing he turned down Liverpool because he felt "that Liverpool would be in transition over the coming season." The article notes that Madrid haven't won a trophy in two seasons, questioning the logic of the move.
