Liverpool are preparing an opening bid for Bradley Barcola after talks with the Paris Saint-Germain forward's representatives, having received encouragement that the France winger wants to move to the Premier League. The interest comes after Liverpool's pursuit of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande collapsed, with PSG withdrawing from that deal and Diomande now heading to Real Madrid instead, leaving Barcola as the club's leading target to strengthen Andoni Iraola's attack before the new season.

PSG value the 23-year-old at around £145m, a fee that would set a new British transfer record, and Liverpool are expected to bid in the coming days, though it is unclear whether they will meet that valuation. Barcola has two years left on his contract but is understood to have rejected an extension after slipping down the pecking order under Luis Enrique. Liverpool have already signed Víctor Muñoz from Osasuna and agreed an initial £55m deal for Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes, but hope Barcola will be their statement signing of the summer, with Iraola also keen to bolster his defensive options.