Liverpool are two steps away from finally landing long-term target Bradley Barcola, with negotiations over the Paris Saint-Germain forward approaching crunch time. The Reds have been quoted a huge £145 million by the French champions.
Liverpool have no intention of matching that valuation for a player who, while immensely gifted, is not yet in the same orbit as Kylian Mbappe or PSG team-mate Ousmane Dembele - although he has the potential to reach that level.
PSG close in on replacement wingers
That kind of fee would be too rich for virtually any club, and PSG will have to get real if they want to move him on, especially as they are close to signing two other wingers.
They have reportedly opened talks with Ajax over Mika Godts for around £51 million. The Champions League holders are already on the verge of signing Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco for about £43 million.
PSG need to balance the books
Moving for a pair of wide attackers is a clear sign that PSG are preparing for life without Barcola. Despite the Ligue 1 side's wealth, Profit and Sustainability Rules mean the books still need to be balanced - big purchases often need to be accompanied by big sales.
If they are not careful, they risk keeping an expensive asset who sees his future elsewhere. After this summer, with two years left on his contract, his value will only diminish.
Now is the time to cash in
Now is the time for PSG to cash in, but not at the current valuation. Even a fee of nearly £100 million would secure a massive profit on a player signed for less than £40 million from Lyon just three years ago.
As negotiations continue, Liverpool must hold their nerve and threaten to look elsewhere unless PSG come down to a more realistic price. Whether they can actually afford the fee is not the point.
Fans say stay away
Reds fans clearly agree. In an ECHO poll, 96 per cent of supporters said Liverpool should go nowhere near PSG's current asking price. Some 33 per cent believe £100 million is the most the club should spend, while 21 per cent think it should not go beyond £80 million.
The impending arrival of two wingers should help drive the fee down. The ball is firmly in PSG's court.
