PSG want British transfer record for Liverpool’s Barcola pursuit
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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 followed the collapse of Liverpool's pursuit of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, with PSG withdrawing from that deal and Diomande instead heading to Real Madrid, leaving Barcola as Liverpool's leading target to strengthen Andoni Iraola's attack ahead of the new season.
PSG valued the 23-year-old at around £145m, a fee that would set a new British transfer record, and Liverpool were expected to submit their bid within days, though it remained unclear whether they would meet that valuation. Barcola had two years left on his contract but was understood to have rejected an extension after slipping down the pecking order under Luis Enrique. Liverpool had already strengthened their attack this summer with Víctor Muñoz from Osasuna and Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes for an initial £55m, but were seeking further reinforcements in attack and defence, with Iraola particularly concerned about his defensive options.
- Liverpool preparing British-record bid, around £145m, for PSG's Bradley Barcola
- Interest followed collapse of move for RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, now joining Real Madrid
- Barcola, 23, has rejected a PSG contract extension and fancies Premier League move
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Liverpool are looking to sign Bradley Barcola, a 23-year-old France winger currently at Paris Saint-Germain, as they try to strengthen their attack under manager Andoni Iraola ahead of the new Premier League season. The move follows the collapse of Liverpool's separate pursuit of another player, Yan Diomande, who is instead joining Real Madrid, which left Barcola as Liverpool's main attacking target.
PSG are said to want around £145m for Barcola, a sum that would break the record for the highest fee ever paid for a player by a British club. Barcola has two years left on his contract at PSG but is reported to have turned down a new deal after losing his regular starting place under head coach Luis Enrique, one of the factors that has made a transfer more plausible.
The story matters because it could become one of the most expensive transfers in English football history and a marker of how much top Premier League clubs are willing to spend this summer. It also fits into Liverpool's wider recruitment plans, following other signings such as Víctor Muñoz and an agreed deal for Jérémy Jacquet, as the club builds its squad for the coming campaign.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Liverpool prepare opening offer for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola”.