Liverpool have completed the £123million signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, but with two days left in the summer transfer window, several major deals remain in the balance ahead of Tuesday's 11pm deadline.
Barcola, who underwent a medical on Sunday, joins on a five-year deal for an initial £106m plus £17m in add-ons. The French attacker becomes Liverpool's fourth signing of the summer, following Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo, and bolsters Andoni Iraola's squad after consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest highlighted the need for further additions.
Iraola admits uncertainty
Iraola summed up the situation after Saturday's draw with Nottingham Forest: "I cannot tell you anything different right now. It's true that there are things going on, like is normal because we are talking about the last weeks of the market, but now we have to wait. I'm looking forward to having the squad [on] September 2, [so we can say] this is who we are and working with certainties."
"Now everything is quite like uncertain and it's the same for every team, but it's how the competition works. Now we have to wait just some [more] days and work with what we have after the market closes," he added. "Honestly, I am looking forward to having who we have and a definitive squad so we can start working with certainties."
Gakpo's future is pivotal
Cody Gakpo has impressed in the opening two games, scoring at St James' Park and assisting against Forest, but he has reportedly decided he wants to join Manchester City following interest from Tottenham. City, who have sold Savio and Omar Marmoush to Spurs, are in talks with Liverpool over a fee for the winger, whose preferred left-wing position is threatened by Barcola's arrival.
Liverpool reportedly want £85m to sell Gakpo and are seeking a replacement if he leaves. They have already seen offers of £50m and £60m rejected by Brighton for Yankuba Minteh, prompting interest in Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr, who has three years left on his contract and scored 21 goals in 45 games last season. Palace are keen to keep Sarr, who has sat out matches this season and is reportedly keen to leave amid interest from Galatasaray.
Goalkeeper and other exits
Nottingham Forest's interest in Giorgi Mamardashvili has forced Liverpool to identify Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans as a possible replacement. The 18-year-old, valued at €35m (£30m), has four senior appearances for Genk and could arrive as Mamardashvili's replacement or be signed and loaned back.
Harvey Elliott has agreed personal terms with Valencia ahead of a loan move after a difficult spell at Aston Villa. "In Harvey's case, he's trying, he's improving every week, but I still prefer other options," Iraola confirmed. Stefan Bajcetic is heading back to Celta Vigo in a permanent deal, with Liverpool negotiating a transfer fee and sell-on clause for the 21-year-old midfielder, who has not appeared for the club since May 2024 and whose contract expires in June 2027.
