Liverpool Renew Bid for Bradley Barcola as PSG Signs Godts

Liverpool are preparing a renewed push for Bradley Barcola next week, buoyed by growing belief that Paris Saint-Germain are finally ready to do business after sealing the signing of Mika Godts.

The Merseyside club have spent much of the summer locked in drawn-out negotiations with PSG as they search for another attacking weapon for Andoni Iraola’s front line. Talks have dragged, with a sizeable gap between Liverpool’s valuation and PSG’s stance, the French champions holding firm around a hefty £145m price tag.

At one stage, The Athletic reported last week, Liverpool were close to walking away and switching focus to alternative targets.

Then came the twist.

PSG confirmed the capture of Godts from Ajax in a deal that could rise to around £47m, handing the French side another gifted wide forward on a five-year contract. His arrival is widely expected to nudge Barcola closer to the exit, and it has injected fresh energy into Liverpool’s pursuit.

Barcola has already been open to leaving in search of regular starts. At PSG, minutes are precious, with the Frenchman operating behind high-profile options such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue. Now Godts, who delivered a stunning 30 goal contributions in 34 Eredivisie games last season, drops into that same crowded lane.

The pressure on Barcola’s place is obvious. Liverpool sense an opening.

Reports in France claim Godts’ move will only speed up Barcola’s departure and that Liverpool intend to table a new offer next week. Inside Anfield, optimism is said to be rising that this time PSG will listen.

That shift in mood is bad news for Arsenal. The Gunners have long admired Barcola and are understood to be interested in bringing him to north London, but some reports indicate they are reluctant to go anywhere near PSG’s current asking price. If Liverpool move decisively now, they could steal a march on their Premier League rivals.

The winger’s situation was underlined earlier this week when he remained an unused substitute as PSG edged Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup. In his place, another summer recruit, Maghnes Akliouche, got the nod from the start.

If Liverpool can finally drag this deal over the line, Barcola would become the second winger through the door at Anfield this summer, following Victor Munoz.

A long-running saga is heading for a decision. The only real question left is whether PSG’s new era on the wings will begin with Barcola watching it from afar.