Arsenal could come back into the conversation for Bradley Barcola as I’m told Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain remain far apart in terms of his transfer fee.
Sources with ties to the agents industry have provided some insight into the hold-up on the Barcola to Liverpool deal, which has been dragging on for weeks now without much progress.
Although the Reds have made the France international their top target in attack, they are starting to explore alternatives such as Yankuba Minteh, with details here in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive for CaughtOffside.
From what I’m hearing, PSG are not budging on their demands for Barcola: £130m up front, with the possibility of add-ons taking it to £145m.
Liverpool, by contrast, view Barcola as being worth £120m maximum.
Arsenal to hijack Liverpool’s move for Bradley Barcola?
We’re not yet at the stage to concretely confirm if Arsenal are about to hijack Liverpool’s move for Barcola, but they’re being kept informed of developments.
We have to be aware that sometimes these things come out from the selling club’s end to put pressure on the prospective buyer to meet their demands, but a very trustworthy source insists Arsenal’s growing interest is legitimate.
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“Liverpool and PSG still have no agreement on Barcola, there’s a significant gap in valuation,” one source explained. “Arsenal haven’t completely gone away, and could aggressively enter the conversation again if it becomes clear this deal is really stalling.”
Barcola is open to joining LFC and personal terms shouldn’t be an issue, but I’m told that he could also be open to Arsenal, with the 23-year-old likely to be tempted by the prospect of living in London.
What next in the Barcola transfer saga?
Of course, the issue with Arsenal remains that PSG’s demands for Barcola look unrealistic.
It seems unlikely that the Gunners would smash their transfer record for the Frenchman, even if they clearly have money to spend after putting together an ambitious package for Vinicius Junior earlier this summer.
Barcola is not quite the same profile, however, and Arsenal are also continuing to explore other options.
Julian Alvarez is widely reported to be one of their priorities, so they may focus on him over Barcola, though that’s also a deal that would be far from cheap or straightforward.
Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz is also appreciated by AFC, but he’s not currently expected to be available this summer.
We’ll have to see if Liverpool finally give in to PSG’s demands or switch to other targets, but it’s delicately poised right now and an intriguing situation to watch.
Barcola is being overpriced because of two reasons.
First/ Barcola has a remaining long term highly paid contract with the best team in Europe and he has not requested to leave and is happy playing super sub for PSG.
Second/PSG don’t wish to sell Barcola, and are happy with his input as a super sub.
Hense the ridiculous price tag of £130m plus laughable valuation for a sub benched player that has 90minute stamina questions be asked.
Liverpool being just as silly with their overpayments for players may well pay this kind of money, which the laughing hand rubbing PSG directors are counting on Liverpool being the overpaying transfer fools that everyone now recognises them to be.
That’s total rubbish. Barcola has just 2yrs remaining on his contract and has told PSG that he has no intention of signing a new one. Since Desire Doue took his place in the team he’s become the forgotten man at PSG and wants to reignite his career at LFC.
PSG are playing chicken with LFC to see who blinks first. They have large funds underpinning the club, but with PSR they have to bring money in. Everybody outside the PL knows our teams have money to burn compared to other leagues, so when they get the chance they all try to bleed us. And PSG know we are desperate for wingers.
Equally, LFC are hoping PSG buckle. If Barcola doesn’t go this summer, next year he’ll be worth half the price with just a year left on his contract. They’ve also bought 3 players this summer as backup to their starting front 3. So Barcola and Mbaye are surplus to requirements.
I believe they will buckle and will only get £110m-£120m but the danger is Arsenal. They are light at LW and CF but they can’t afford both Barcola and Alvarez. That’s £250m minimum for the pair, maybe £300m. They would prioritise Alvarez, but if he goes to Barcelona, Barcola would become their number 1 target and PSG would drive the price up.
This transfer will likely go down to the wire.