Liverpool Prepares New Bid for Bradley Barcola After PSG Signing

Liverpool sense an opening in the chase for Bradley Barcola and are preparing a new bid for the Paris Saint-Germain winger next week, with confidence growing after PSG wrapped up the signing of Mika Godts from Ajax.

The Reds have spent much of the summer locked in drawn-out negotiations for Barcola as they look to arm Andoni Iraola with another attacking weapon. Talks have dragged, slowed by a sharp disagreement over the fee, with PSG holding firm on a valuation of around £145m.

At one stage, The Athletic reported last week that Liverpool were close to walking away and shifting focus to alternative targets. The landscape has changed quickly.

PSG have now confirmed the arrival of Godts in a deal that could rise to £47m. The 20-year-old, fresh from a stunning season at Ajax with 30 goal contributions in 34 Eredivisie games, has signed a five-year contract and walked straight into an already crowded wide department.

His signing tightens the squeeze on Barcola. The Frenchman has been pushing for more regular first-team minutes, a difficult ask at a club where he sits behind Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue in the pecking order. Godts’ arrival only ramps up that competition and, crucially for Liverpool, nudges Barcola closer to the exit.

Reports in France suggest that PSG’s move for Godts will accelerate Barcola’s departure, with Liverpool expected to return to the table with a renewed offer in the coming days. Inside Anfield, optimism is said to be growing that this time the negotiations could break their deadlock.

The ripple effect is far less welcome in north London. Arsenal have also been tracking Barcola and are keen to bring him in, but some reports indicate the Gunners are reluctant to go anywhere near PSG’s steep asking price. If Liverpool decide to push harder, that hesitation could prove decisive.

Barcola’s current status at PSG was underlined earlier this week when he remained an unused substitute in the 2-1 UEFA Super Cup win over Aston Villa. In his place, another summer recruit, Maghnes Akliouche, was handed the start on the flank.

Should Liverpool finally get the deal over the line, Barcola would become the second winger through the door at Anfield this summer, following Victor Munoz. The question now is simple: will PSG’s new signing be the domino that lets Liverpool land their man?