Liverpool are reportedly planning a double swoop for PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye in a combined £188m deal, while former Reds defender Jamie Carragher has issued a bleak prediction for the club
Time is running out with Liverpool set to begin their Premier League season against Newcastle in less than three weeks. The Reds are rapidly losing opportunities to strengthen their squad this summer, with the pressure upped by the upcoming transfer deadline.
Andoni Iraola’s team has only brought in French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet and Spanish winger Victor Munoz. With pre-season preparations drawing to a close ahead of a friendly encounter with Monaco on Sunday, August 9, behind-the-scenes activity appears to be intensifying.
Today’s reports indicate Liverpool are planning a colossal £188million raid, while a former Anfield legend has delivered a serious warning to his former club.
£188m approach under consideration
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Liverpool are allegedly targeting Bradley Barcola and his PSG colleague Ibrahim Mbaye as they look to bolster their wide attacking options. Senegal international Mbaye entered the PSG academy in 2018 from Versailles, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The French powerhouses are understood to rate him at approximately £43m. The Reds have held a sustained interest in France international Barcola, with talks anticipated to begin imminently regarding a prospective move to bring him to Anfield.
The current European champions are reportedly seeking around £145m for the 23-year-old winger. Should Liverpool pull off an extraordinary double capture of both players, they could face a jaw-dropping combined expenditure of £188m to lure the duo to Merseyside.
Ex-Red makes bleak prediction
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has expressed his doubts about the club’s transfer dealings this summer. The former centre-half has also dismissed the Reds’ prospects of securing the Premier League crown this season.
“Where we are right now, and there is still a month to go transfer-wise, I can only see Arsenal or Man City (winning the league),” Carragher said on The Football Ramble. “I think Liverpool need two defenders and a top right winger to be in the ‘chat’ or in the chase.
“They haven’t replaced Mo Salah. They are supposed to be going for Barcola, and I’m sitting there scratching my head thinking the manager and the people sorting the transfers out know a lot more than I do about what’s going on behind the scenes, but we have about four players who can play left wing, and we are going for Barcola.
“They haven’t got one player who plays on the right wing in the squad. I’m a little bit worried but what I would say about Liverpool and people above, with the people above, I do trust them in terms of over the last decade or so, how they have gone about their business – they sell well, they bring in good fees. There must be something up their sleeve.”