Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has refused to rule out selling Bradley Barcola in a boost to Liverpool's chances of signing him. Barcola, 23, remains the Reds' top target in the final knockings of the summer transfer window.
PSG open to selling Barcola
But negotiations have been at an impasse as PSG look to bank the maximum fee for the winger, who they value at an eye-watering £145million amid from Arsenal, too. Barcola was an unused substitute as Luis Enrique's side beat Aston Villa 2-1 to win the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday, having only returned to training following the World Cup earlier this week.
Post-match, Al-Khelaifi was asked about the France international's future and couldn't give a definitive answer. "We're working calmly, we don't talk too much," Al-Khelaifi told Canal Plus. "I can't say whether he will leave or not ... Today, he is a PSG player. We'll see."
Enrique stays tight-lipped
The chairman's comments came after Enrique kept tight-lipped before the match. "I don't know and I don't want to speak about any player individually," the PSG boss stated. "Because it's always dangerous when you are asking something positive or negative about a player. I stay focused on my team."
While the victory saw Barcola collect a fourth European medal in just over three years at PSG, the goals were scored by two players ahead of him in the pecking order. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave the Champions League holders an early lead before Villa equalised prior to half-time through Brian Madjo's strike. Desire Doue then restored PSG's advantage in the second half.
Liverpool's need for a winger
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola also hasn't spoken about Barcola, although he his desire to sign a wide forward is no secret. "We definitely need to sign a winger," Iraola stated last month. "But there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have. We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust, but it is still not the ideal situation, so it will depend on a lot of things."
