With the transfer window edging towards its 1 September close, Liverpool appear to be making headway in their long-running pursuit of Bradley Barcola, while the saga surrounding Julian Alvarez's future has taken another dramatic turn.
According to reports, Paris Saint-Germain have softened their stance on Barcola's valuation, now willing to accept around £115m for the France international having initially demanded £145m. Even at the reduced fee, the winger would rank as one of Liverpool's costliest ever signings. Barcola, who has been frozen out of PSG's matchday squads for their last three fixtures, is said to be fully committed to a switch to Anfield.
PSG's summer recruitment in attack — including the arrivals of Ferran Torres, Mika Godts and Maghnes Akliouche, alongside the retained talents of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue — has squeezed Barcola's opportunities at the Parc des Princes, accelerating his path towards a Merseyside move.
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been candid about needing reinforcements out wide as he looks to replace the departed Mohamed Salah. The club have already seen two offers for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh turned down, worth £50m and £60m respectively, and missed out on RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande after he opted for Real Madrid instead. Attention has now also turned to Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr, though no formal bid has yet been lodged. Sarr, who has attracted interest from Galatasaray, was absent from Palace's opening-day defeat to Everton, with manager Pierre Sage citing a medical issue.
To help fund a Barcola deal, Liverpool could be prepared to sanction the sale of Cody Gakpo, who is drawing interest from both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid have taken a firm public stance in the increasingly tense battle over Julian Alvarez, declaring there is