Liverpool step up their transfer chase for PSG duo Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola after agreeing a five-year deal with the 18-year-old French prodigy.
The theme of this summer for Liverpool in terms of attacking signings has been Paris Saint-Germain wingers. Replacing Mohamed Salah is going to be near-impossible, but the Reds believe that the Parc des Princes is the best shopping destination, so are they finally close to landing a target?
According to a report by Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport, Liverpool "have reached an agreement" with PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye over personal terms. Bayer Leverkusen were also interested, but the 18 year old "has made his choice" and wants to move to Merseyside. He goes onto say that the Reds "want to sign both" the Senegalese international and top target Bradley Barcola, so how realistic is that?
Well, Hawkins goes on to assert that Liverpool "will now continue negotiations" with the Ligue 1 champions over a potential double deal, having seen an opening bid rejected. He notes that "an agreement has yet to be reached", but suggests that the expectation is that both Mbaye and Barcola will swap the Champs-Élysées for Stanley Park.
So, how much would this cost? Well, PSG have been quite insistent that they value Barcola at €150 million, while Mbaye is worth €50 million which, combined, is around £170 million. Having paid over £240 million for Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen and Alexander Isak of Newcastle 12 months ago, the Reds have shown a willingness to spend on attackers, but even so, that would be an enormous outlay.
Given that, why is it expected that this deal will get over the line? Well, Barcola has just two years remaining on his contract with les Rouge-et-Bleu, and does not intend to sign a new one, hence why the European champions believe now is the time to cash in. Neither Barcola nor Mbaye were involved in Sunday night's Trophée des Champions defeat against Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Meantime, les Parisiens have already signed Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts this summer, leaving Luis Enrique with something of a surplus when it comes to attackers.
From Liverpool's point of view, were both to arrive, this might not be good for Cody Gakpo's prospects. The Dutch international has been strongly linked with a move to Tottenham, valued at around £70 million. He may have to depart, not only because Barcola's potential arrival would see the 27 year old demoted to second-choice left-winger, but also a sale to Spurs would help fund this mass expenditure. With just a fortnight to go in the window, expect Liverpool to be ultra-busy.
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