PSG have agreed a deal to sign Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco for €50m, according to Ben Jacobs on X, a move that could help Liverpool land Bradley Barcola. The confirmation follows earlier reports of a breakthrough in PSG's pursuit of the Monaco winger, with Liverpool having made a tentative enquiry earlier in the summer.
The fee is far below what PSG are asking the Reds to pay for Barcola. As Empire of the Kop's Farrell Keeling put it: "Cite Elliot Anderson (£116m) and Morgan Rogers (£117m) if you wish, chaps. Liverpool have every right to cite the £42.7m deal PSG have just sealed for Maghnes Akliouche."
Real Madrid and Bayern clear the field
In Spain, Marca report that Real Madrid have issued Vinicius Junior a "take it or leave it contract" and "will open the door to a sale this summer" if he does not renew. Madrid's reluctance to break their wage structure could give Arsenal the opportunity they are waiting for, potentially leaving Liverpool with a free run at Barcola.
Bayern Munich have also made clear they will not move for the 23-year-old. Sporting director Max Eberl said the club "have finished" for new signings this summer, and Christian Falk, in his CF Bayern Insider column, said Barcola is "on the shortlist" but "too expensive" in the current window. Falk added that Barcola remains "the number one option to replace Michael Olise" next summer, giving the Reds plenty of incentive to get a deal done.
Spurs linked with Barcola or Gakpo
Cody Gakpo's future has remained ambiguous, with Fabrizio Romano reiterating that clubs are interested if Liverpool decide to do business, Tottenham most often mentioned. Roberto De Zerbi has said Spurs are working on a mystery "bomba" that is not Manchester City's Savinho, and The Athletic have suggested that player could be Barcola — or indeed Gakpo. As ever, this is speculation.
Exploratory contact for Tomori
Tuttojuve claim Liverpool "have already initiated initial exploratory contact with AC Milan to determine the feasibility" of a move for Fikayo Tomori, whose contract expires next year. Milan are said to be open to selling if he does not renew, with Liverpool "evaluating costs and room for manoeuvre before deciding whether to submit an official offer."
The deal is claimed to be in its early stages, but Tomori's name "has definitely been included in the list of possible reinforcements." Sky Sports have reported that Joe Gomez's injury "will not affect Liverpool's transfer plans." Tomori has Premier League experience and could be registered as homegrown, making him a potentially intriguing option.
Other rumours and a self-made 'nonsense' story
Elsewhere, Francisco Conceicao could be sold by Juventus to ensure compliance with UEFA's squad cost ratio rules, with Liverpool and Manchester United having made "enquiries" according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Fabrizio Romano has announced that Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono has been made available for loan. Oakley Cannonier, of 'corner taken quickly' fame, has signed for Singapore side Hougang United, and Arne Slot will not be going to Saudi Arabia.
Finally, the "nonsense" section. TEAMtalk cited a speculative article by this writer to claim Chelsea's Josh Acheampong is on Liverpool's shortlist alongside Nnamdi Collins and Lutsharel Geertruida. To be clear, that piece never suggested these were genuine targets. Still, with Sky Sports reporting Xabi Alonso only wants "four or five" centre-backs at Chelsea — who currently have 10 — perhaps there is a chance Liverpool could test the waters after all. Or not.
