Manchester United have been presented with the opportunity to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, potentially derailing Liverpool’s pursuit of the player this summer. According to TEAMtalk, PSG are actively informing multiple clubs of Barcola’s availability, hoping to instigate a bidding war for the 23-year-old.
Liverpool have identified Barcola as a key target following the departure of Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League, but securing a deal with PSG is proving challenging. Sources indicate Barcola has voiced concerns to manager Luis Enrique regarding limited playing time, having fallen behind Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue in the pecking order. Despite this, PSG are not prepared to facilitate an easy exit for the player.
While reports in France suggest a starting price of €70 million (£59.5m, $80m), TEAMtalk’s sources claim PSG are demanding a significantly higher fee of €150 million (£127.5m, $171m) for Barcola, citing inflated prices in the English market. Publicly, the club maintains the player is not for sale, though intermediaries have communicated the financial demands to interested parties.
Barcola’s representatives have been exploring potential moves for several weeks, and the player is reportedly keen on a fresh start with regular first-team football. The situation is further complicated by PSG’s need to comply with financial regulations, making player sales a necessity. A move to Anfield is particularly appealing to Barcola, with personal terms not anticipated to be a significant hurdle.
For Manchester United, a swoop for Barcola is contingent on offloading Marcus Rashford, whose proposed transfer to Barcelona has stalled. The club is currently preparing to reintegrate Rashford into the squad. Liverpool, meanwhile, remain confident in their ability to complete further signings before the transfer window closes, with club insiders expressing optimism about securing Barcola’s services.
