-
News
- 39 minutes ago
Liverpool and Arsenal told what’s required to sign Barcola: ‘The only way it will happen’
Bradley Barcola remains high on the transfer agenda at Liverpool and remains a player of interest at Arsenal, and both clubs have now been told ‘the only way’ they will be able to sign the PSG winger.
Barcola has grown unsettled in Paris, having struggled to hold down a regular first-team spot in a stacked attack that contains Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, which both Ferran Torres and Mika Godts will soon supplement.
Premier League clubs have taken an interest in the two-time Champions League winner, with Liverpool particularly keen to add the 23-year-old to their ranks.
PSG, though, have been difficult to negotiate with. The Ligue 1 side have put an asking price of €170 million (£145m) on the former Lyon man, a figure that neither Liverpool nor Arsenal have been tempted to trouble.
The deal, however, remains alive going into the final fortnight of the transfer window, with both clubs holding out hope of a spectacular late transfer coup.
Liverpool and Arsenal need a favour from PSG
But with the clubs digging their heels in over the price of the player, a transfer will only happen if PSG eventually buckle, the Premier League giants have been told.
Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor explains: “Liverpool are still there effectively for Bradley Barcola, but they've put a valuation on Barcola and said to PSG, this is how far we'll go.
“PSG want £145 million and at the minute Liverpool are not going to go that far and PSG don't seem to be willing to come down to that. Again, you sense that as this continues and we're near that deadline and you look at Barclay's situation at PSG and we understand that he would like moves to the Premier League.
“Does he start agitating for a move and if so, does that then bring PSG to the table. Maybe Liverpool or Arsenal?
“But at the moment, the only way the Barcola deal for either Liverpool or Arsenal is going to happen is if PSG start lowering their price.”
PSG may yet buckle over Barcola after making extravagant demand
PSG’s asking price for Barcola is enormous. The winger’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €57.2m while his career-high valuation in this regard sits at €77.7m.
The French club are not protecting themselves from a lavish purchase either. They signed him from Lyon for €45m, so are virtually guaranteed to make a profit on him whenever they sell – unless his contract expires.
Instead, their posturing is a power play. It’s a sign to their rivals that they will not be bullied into selling their players.
Equally, though, there is hope for both Arsenal and Liverpool in this case. PSG have made it clear that they do not want anyone who is not fully committed to the club, and with Barcola agitating for a move, he certainly seems to fall into that category.
The stance of the Champions League winners, then, may not be as firm as it appears.
Related stories:
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal and Man Utd open Jarell Quansah talks
Transfer madness: The seven most overpriced deals this summer