Liverpool hope to agree '£100m' Bradley Barcola deal as talks open
Liverpool are hoping to agree a deal worth around £100million for Bradley Barcola despite PSG's £120m valuation of his services, sources have told Football Insider.
Barcola has been on the Reds' radar for several months now, with talks expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
The 23-year-old has expressed a desire to explore a potential move to Anfield, with PSG also open to a sale.
Liverpool are preparing an opening offer for his services as Andoni Iraola aims to make his first big-money signing on Merseyside.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, the two clubs' valuations of his signature remain apart as it stands, with Liverpool aiming to strike a deal worth around £100m.
PSG are set to hold out for £120m, but could be forced to lower their price tag given the lack of competition for Barcola's services.
Liverpool optimistic of agreeing £100m deal for Bradley Barcola
Barcola has impressed at PSG, but struggled for starts last season as several big-name players were preferred by Luis Enrique.
The French winger would provide some much-needed impetus in attack for Liverpool after Mo Salah's departure at the end of his contract.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "The problem is trying to agree a fee with PSG. Obviously PSG are holding out for big money, around £120 million for Barcola. Liverpool don't really want to pay that much for him. They're hoping they can get him for under £100million plus add-ons, with incentives, maybe, to bring that deal closer to PSG's valuation.
"Again it's a deal that's ongoing. There's optimism, I think, on Liverpool’s side that the deal can be done, especially now if they've got the thumbs up from the player’s side that he would be keen to make that move to Anfield, and that's big factor in it."
Liverpool identify 'top-class' centre-back as priority signing
Alongside Barcola, sources have revealed to Football Insider that Liverpool want to sign a 'top-class' centre-back before the window slams shut.
Joe Gomez is set to miss the start of the new Premier League campaign with a muscle injury, while Jeremy Jacquet is still recovering from a long-term shoulder issue.
They are lacking real depth in the position, with the Anfield hierarchy targeting Micky Van de Ven amid uncertainty around his Tottenham future, as revealed by Football Insider.