How Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola for far lower fee than PSG wanted – Keith Wyness
Liverpool have signed Bradley Barcola for a lesser fee than PSG's initial valuation by waiting until the final days of the window to advance in talks.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has insisted that Liverpool purposely waited to sign Barcola so PSG would agree to a compromise.
Barcola was a top target for the Reds throughout the summer window in their search to bolster Andoni Iraola's squad.
Their chase of his services lasted for months following his fall down the attacking pecking order at PSG.
Barcola officially arrived on Merseyside earlier this week as Liverpool completed a move worth around £123million, including add-ons.
The Ligue 1 champions were initially believed to be looking for a package of £140m, but Liverpool have instead brokered a deal worth an initial £106m.
Liverpool's smart wait has brought Bradley Barcola fee down
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks Barcola will be a success at Liverpool.
The French international winger registered 13 goals and eight assists in 55 games for PSG last term, then impressed at the World Cup in North America.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained that Liverpool managed to secure his services for a lesser fee than many thought they would by waiting until the end of the window as PSG were forced into accepting an offer.
He said: “It was just the calendar that caused (the price drop). When they start talking in July, and then you start getting the deal done in September, that's because people decide that they want to get deals done.
"The other factor is that both sides are claiming add-ons of different amounts, and then they use the add-ons as headline numbers for PR, etc. We never know the real truth and how real those add-ons are.
“So I think that's the basic difference as to why those sort of numbers dropped. Look, he's a very exciting signing. I'm looking forward to seeing him play in the Premier League. I think the Premier League is going to suit him very well, even more than Ligue 1.
"Let's wait and see, look, it's going to be a great signing for Liverpool, but I do think their problem is at the back rather than up the front. They haven't had a great start to the season, so we'll be watching.”
Cody Gakpo remains committed to Liverpool despite failed Man City move
Liverpool ended the window in fairly quiet fashion after Barcola arrived on Monday, but things could have been different had Gakpo completed a move to Man City.
The Dutchman emerged onto their radar last week as Enzo Maresca chased another forward signing following the departures of Savio and Omar Marmoush.
He has ultimately stayed at Liverpool despite being keen to move to the Etihad, but Wyness has told Football Insider that Gakpo is also content with staying at Liverpool for now.
Iraola has him firmly in the Reds' plans for the season ahead, with fans still feeling like his attack lacks real depth.