Liverpool have received a double boost in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with the French club lowering their asking price and signing two attacking replacements. The Reds are still prioritising a winger with one week to go until their Premier League opener against Newcastle United.
Barcola deal edges closer
PSG's asking price for Barcola, thought to be £130m, has been deemed too high by Liverpool. However, the Parisian side have announced the arrival of World Cup winner Ferran Torres from Barcelona for £42m and are set to confirm the signing of Mika Godts from Ajax for £48m. The pair will join Maghnes Akliouche as attacking summer arrivals.
This double deal suggests Barcola will soon find himself surplus to requirements and essentially confirms that PSG intend to sell him this summer. Whether their asking price is lowered, though, is another matter.
Godts and Torres being snapped up could also provide the Reds with a boost regarding Ibrahim Mbaye. Reports in France suggest a deal for the 18-year-old Senegal international is still on and Liverpool may also make a move for him.
New boss's first season
Andoni Iraola's first Premier League season as Liverpool boss is just around the corner, and he has welcomed three senior summer signings so far. Victor Munoz's Osasuna release clause was activated and he joined for £34.6m. Soon after, Jeremy Jacquet's £60m transfer was completed following negotiations in January. Ronald Araujo is the latest arrival from Barcelona after a loan deal with an option to buy for £47.1m was completed.
Iraola's debut pre-season has not entirely gone according to plan on the pitch, with two wins against Sunderland and Wrexham and two losses against Leeds and Monaco. But off the field, their transfer business has been shrewd.
Jones price lowered
On the exit front, Liverpool have reportedly lowered their asking price for midfielder Curtis Jones. The 25-year-old has found himself out of favour with Iraola at Anfield and has been linked with a move to Inter Milan for most of the window.
With his contract set to expire next year, Liverpool are keen to cash in. Jones is an academy graduate with zero book value on the balance sheet, so under Financial Fair Play regulations, any fee he generates will be treated as pure profit.
Reports in Italy claimed that the asking price had been an issue in negotiations and Liverpool were holding out for £34m. Now, though, it appears as though they've lowered this fee to £30m. English talent has been flocking to Inter this summer. They've signed John Stones on a free transfer after his Manchester City deal expired and Tottenham's Djed Spence is on the verge of a £30m move to Italy.
