Bradley Barcola, a 23-year-old forward signed by Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 on a contract running until June 2028, has established himself at both PSG and the French national team. However, he remains something of a substitute for big matches in Paris and has refused to extend his contract. Consequently, a departure looks likely—especially since Liverpool has made him a priority target. Le Parisien reported this Tuesday that negotiations with PSG could be moving forward. The English club’s interest in Ibrahim Mbaye (a 28-year-old forward) has also been mentioned.
“PSG might lower its asking price”
“The English club has made the French international’s arrival a top priority for the summer, and this deal is the more advanced of the two. (…) Discussions are ongoing to find common ground regarding the right transfer fee. Having strengthened the squad with the signings of Ferran Torres and Mika Godts, PSG might lower its demands and consider an offer below €150 million. In any case, both clubs plan to return to the negotiating table this week to try to bridge the gap between their positions.
Targeted by various European clubs, the Senegalese player is reportedly interested in continuing his career in the Premier League. In this matter, Liverpool’s management will have to meet the high demands of the two-time European champions, who are asking for around €50 million.”
Bear in mind that nothing is certain until it is official. Barcola’s price tag has been mentioned in the media several times without any confirmation. In any case, it is standard practice in negotiations to start with a particularly high asking price to secure the best possible offer. When dealing with such figures, the amounts quickly become impressive. For now, we must let the clubs talk, whether regarding Barcola or Mbaye. It is possible that both deals could be wrapped up simultaneously, though they might also be handled separately. This could simplify negotiations, even though one will inevitably influence the other. However, a double transfer is rare and difficult to finalize. We are waiting for the situation to become clearer; nothing is certain yet, even if a departure would make sense.
