Bradley Barcola to Liverpool transfer takes major twist as PSG make £25m decision

Liverpool are dreaming of landing the blockbuster signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain - and their chances of landing the Frenchman have just increased.

The Reds have been negotiating a double deal with PSG for Barcola and his teammate Ibrahim Mbaye for weeks, but both clubs have appeared far apart in their valuations.

PSG initially wanted at least £145 million for Barcola, and Liverpool were unwilling to break the Premier League's transfer record to sign the 23-year-old, who recorded 20 goal involvements in all competitions last term.

A double transfer for Barcola and Mbaye would have cost the Premier League side over £200m, with the Ligue 1 giants valuing their 18-year-old starlet at a reported £60m.

Liverpool felt a sense of frustration in their failed negotiations for the pair and have since explored a move for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, but even the Seagulls are unwilling to lower their valuation after rejecting two bids of £50m and £60m for the 22-year-old.

The Merseyside club are now preparing a third offer for the Gambian speedster, who is sidelined with an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out for the next two to three months.

At the same time, their chances of landing top target Barcola have just been boosted. According to TEAMtalk, PSG are prepared to accept £120m for the Frenchman after initially lowering their offer to £125m.

That would make him the second-most expensive Premier League transfer ever - behind only Alexander Isak - who set them back a whopping £125m when he joined from Newcastle United last summer.

Barcola is expected to move on from PSG before the September 1 deadline next week and already refused to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes after returning from the World Cup in July.

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The fleet-footed forward has been pushed down the pecking order under Luis Enrique, who cannot guarantee him a regular starting place after adding Mika Godts, Ferran Torres and Maghnes Akliouche to his already star-studded frontline this summer.

Crucially, after PSG lowered their valuation of Barcola to £120m, there is an expectation that Liverpool will get the deal done as the Reds edge closer to finally landing their marquee signing.

PSG sporting advisor Luis Campos hints at Bradley Barcola exit

Barcola has been omitted from Enrique's two most recent squads, including at the weekend as PSG kicked off their Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-2 draw against Rennes.

There is, therefore, an acceptance that his future is elsewhere, and that is reinforced by sporting advisor Luis Campos, who hinted at the French international leaving the club.

“The transfer window isn’t over, it’s important to defend PSG and the institution. You mentioned (Bradley) Barcola and (Ibrahim) Mbaye; we’ll see what happens," Campos told Ligue 1+ TV.

“It’s like this every year. I remind you what happened last year with Gigi Donnarumma; it was really late. This transfer window isn’t over at all; it’s open. Even on the arrivals side, if we find a good opportunity, we’ll take it.”

While a transfer for Barcola looks increasingly likely, it appears Liverpool have given up on signing Mbaye, whose £60m valuation is proving too high.