Liverpool are working hard to find an agreement with PSG to sign Bradley Barcola as Mohamed Salah's replacement, but the two clubs still remain far apart in their valuations. A £45million difference between Liverpool and PSG's valuation of Barcola needs to be closed.
Pre-season and transfer activity
Andoni Iraola took charge of his first game at Anfield as Reds boss on Sunday in a pre-season friendly against Monaco, but the lack of new signings was obvious. Liverpool have welcomed Jeremy Jacquet to the squad after his transfer was finalised in January, meaning Victor Munoz is currently the only summer signing, ahead of the imminent signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona, but even he has been unable to bed in during pre-season having been a part of the Spain team that won the World Cup.
Reds fans would have been hoping by now that a replacement for Salah would have been signed, but the gap in valuations remains.
Michael Owen's view on Bowen
However, former Liverpool striker Michael Owen insisted the Reds should have moved to sign West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen early in the summer to ensure a proven Premier League replacement was found. However, Bowen now appears set to remain in east London and spearhead the Hammers' charge back to the Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, Owen, the former England striker who now helps UK gamblers compare online casinos as the British ambassador for Casino.org, said that the Reds should have moved earlier to sign Bowen.
“For me, I would have gone out and looked to sign Jarrod Bowen from West Ham. I felt he would be a good replacement for Mo Salah as he is proven Premier League and scored goals and can assist as well. He would have all the attributes to come in and settle in at Liverpool straight away. He’s a top class finisher and can be part of the new Liverpool. But he is staying at West Ham it looks like.”
Bowen scored 11 times and assisted 12 goals in all competitions last season despite West Ham's relegation. The 29-year-old scored 13 and 16 league goals in the previous two seasons, respectively, and could have been available at a fraction of the price of the £145m valued Barcola. But should West Ham fail to achieve promotion this season, it's reported that the 22-time England international has a £15m release clause that will become active.
Barcola pursuit continues
Meanwhile, Liverpool are continuing their push to sign Barcola, a player that Owen holds in high esteem but claims that the current asking price from PSG is "crazy money."
He continued: “Liverpool do need to push for signings now as replacing Mo’s goals will be difficult. Barcola does look like the player Liverpool are really pushing for and it’s a lot of money, a huge amount being rumoured, which I think is crazy money. So Liverpool may have to balance the books if they secure his signing and sell another attacking player to bring him in, which I don’t think works as you need depth in the striking areas. But Barcola is a top player and will bring more quality to Liverpool and can help the rest of the attacking players at Liverpool shine and contribute to more goals.”
