Liverpool are preparing an opening offer for Bradley Barcola after talks with the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s representatives.
Barcola is a leading target for Liverpool as they look to add a proven winger to Andoni Iraola’s squad before the new season. Yan Diomande had been wanted but is likely to join Real Madrid after PSG pulled out of a deal for the RB Leipzig winger.
PSG have placed a value in the region of £145m on Barcola, which would represent a British record sum. He has two years left on his contract with the European champions but is believed to have turned down the offer of an extension, having fallen down the pecking order in Luis Enrique’s gifted team.
Liverpool have been exploring whether the 23-year-old is open to leaving PSG for Anfield. Having received encouragement that he wants to move to the Premier League, Liverpool are expected to bid for the France international in the coming days. Whether they are prepared to meet PSG’s valuation remains to be seen, but the club will attempt to make Barcola their statement signing of the summer.
Liverpool have signed the versatile forward Víctor Muñoz from Osasuna this summer and finalised Jérémy Jacquet’s transfer from Rennes for an initial £55m, but are looking to strengthen further in attack and defence, with Iraola concerned about his defensive options in particular.
