Liverpool transfer window picks up pace
Liverpool's transfer window has been quieter than many fans had hoped so far. But it may be about to stir into life as negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain over long-running target Bradley Barcola continue.
Pre-season has been promising with wins over Sunderland and Wrexham. Next up on the tour of the United States is a meeting with Leeds United at Chicago's Soldier Field. New signings Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz are yet to figure. The former is getting closer to his Reds debut following a shoulder injury, while Spain World Cup winner Munoz is coming to the end of his post-tournament break.
It's the interest in Barcola that continues to take centre stage, with movement elsewhere in the transfer market strengthening the Reds' hand. Here's a round-up of the latest Liverpool transfer news.
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PSG are close to landing two wingers in a clear sign they are preparing for life after Barcola. They have reportedly opened talks with Ajax about signing Mika Godts for £51million. Meanwhile, the Champions League holders are on the verge of signing Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco for around £43m. With Desire Doue, Ibrahim Maye and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia already at the club, the position is set to become even more crowded.
Something needs to give, and that 'something' is Barcola. Liverpool have no intention of meeting PSG's £145m asking price but negotiations are continuing and the impending arrival of Godts and Akliouche should strengthen their hand. The French champions still stand to make an enormous profit on a player who arrived from Lyon for less than £40m three years ago.
There has already been a further update on the winger's situation in our earlier coverage on the Bradley Barcola transfer timeline, while Liverpool explore Bradley Barcola move as PSG transfer links continue also tracked the growing interest. We also previously reported on Bradley Barcola reaching verbal agreement with Liverpool as transfer talks progress.
Inter Milan are willing to increase their offer for midfielder Curtis Jones. The Serie A champions have already brought John Stones to the club this summer and are keen to add another England international, having already had one bid of around £21m rejected. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Inter are preparing a bid of £30m, although that is still short of the Reds' £35m valuation for the 25-year-old, who has a year left on his contract.
Intermediaries working on behalf of Inter have now contacted Liverpool once more and have informed them of the Serie A side's willingness to up their offer. Jones has made 228 appearances since his debut in January 2019 but has struggled for regular first-team football.
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What the latest talks mean
The developments around PSG's winger situation have added fresh momentum to Liverpool's pursuit of Barcola, even if the Reds are still refusing to go near the £145m price tag. The fact PSG are pushing ahead with moves for Mika Godts and Maghnes Akliouche suggests they are preparing for a reshuffle in attack, and that could leave Barcola more available to leave.
For Liverpool, that would be a significant boost in negotiations that have already stretched on for some time. The club are not expected to match PSG's valuation, but with the French side moving closer to alternative targets, the balance in the talks may be shifting in the Reds' favour.
Jones, meanwhile, remains a separate but important situation for Liverpool. Inter's willingness to come back with a higher bid shows the midfielder continues to attract interest, though Liverpool's £35m stance has not changed and the gap remains between the two clubs. With Jones having made 228 appearances since his debut in January 2019, his future is still one to watch as the summer goes on.
