– PSG boss signals that French star is on his way away
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique seems to have already said goodbye to Bradley Barcola. In a chilling three-word response, the Spaniard revealed that both Barcola and teammate Ibrahim Mbaye could leave the club – while Liverpool are preparing another big move to secure the duo.
The Reds from Merseyside are desperate to add star quality to the attack, and Barcola has long been at the top of their wish list. The 23-year-old Frenchman is considered the most important reinforcement of the summer for Liverpool.
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However, striking a deal with PSG has been anything but easy. The European champions insist on bringing in close to €150 million (£128 million) for the star – and have been willing to wait to secure the right price.
Enrique’s telling absence
Paris Saint-Germain have already strengthened their attack with Ferran Torres, Mika Godts, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Khvitsha Kvaratskhelia. With such breadth, the club seems ready to let Barcola move on.
And the hints from Enrique could hardly have been clearer. Both wingers were left out of the squad when PSG lost 1-0 to Lens in the Trophée des Champions on Sunday – an absence that speaks for itself.
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Before the game, Enrique said:
“We are a young and very ambitious team. It’s important for us to make changes and look for players who enjoy playing our football – and who love playing for PSG. When a player doesn’t want to come here, or doesn’t smile at being here, it’s better to find other solutions.
Three icy words revealed everything
After the game, a clearly annoyed Enrique was asked again about Barcola’s future. The Spaniard was not interested in discussing the matter, and responded with three icy words before leaving the press conference:
“Thank you, goodbye.
According to several sources, it is now a question of when, not if – Barcola will become a Liverpool player. The club are preparing a new proposal to entice PSG to sell, and our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey reports that sources expect a sale for around £125 million.
Liverpool have already shown that they are willing to spend £120 million on the winger, and now they are considering matching the British record sum – £125 million – paid for Alexander Isak last summer.
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The transfer possibilities have recently been bolstered by a capital injection from the Jeff Bezos-led consortium, which now owns 30 percent of the Merseyside club. Although Liverpool still have to play by the rules, the investment is expected to free up extra funds for Andoni Iraola’s squad.
With Barcola coming in, and Mbaye also in the spotlight, Liverpool could be about to pull off one of the most monumental transfers of the summer.
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