Journalist: Liverpool still leading the race for double transfer raid

Journalist: Liverpool still leading the race for double transfer raid Liverpool Ready to Turn Attention to Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye Liverpool’s transfer window appears to have reached a decisive stage, with Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye firmly in the conversation as the club turns its attention towards attacking reinforcements. Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Daily Mail journalist Lewis Steele made Liverpool’s current priorities particularly clear after the arrival of Ronald Araujo. “I think the word internally is forwards, forwards, forwards now,” Steele explained. For Liverpool supporters waiting for movement involving Paris Saint Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, that represents perhaps the clearest indication yet of where the club’s remaining work is concentrated. Bradley Barcola Remains Liverpool’s Major Attacking Target The Bradley Barcola situation has developed slowly throughout the summer, something Steele readily acknowledged. “It’s been a long summer of this saga,” he told Davis. “The saga’s gone on for a while.” Liverpool’s patience appears connected to PSG completing their own attacking business before allowing players to leave. Davis compared the situation to a property chain, with one deal needing to happen before another can progress. Steele agreed with that assessment. “I think it’s pretty much the same here,” he said. “I would still put my money on Barcola joining the club because he seems, for all intents and purposes, to want the move. Liverpool absolutely want the move. PSG seem open to selling him.” That is significant. According to Steele, the desire exists from Liverpool and Barcola, while PSG appear prepared to negotiate. Price remains central to the discussions. “Liverpool have indicated they’re not paying that £145m, but they may pay something a bit less,” Steele said. Once PSG’s circumstances change, Steele believes Liverpool could move rapidly. “The agreement with the player side will be easy,” he added. “So I think when the dominoes start falling, I think it’ll happen quite quickly.” Ibrahim Mbaye Interest Remains Active Ibrahim Mbaye represents another option Liverpool continue to explore. Davis referenced reports that Liverpool had already spoken to Jorge Mendes regarding the 18 year old PSG winger, before asking whether Mbaye’s situation could be connected to progress on Barcola. Steele stressed that the transfers remain independent. “Obviously, as has been reported, the two deals are separate from one another,” he said. However, the circumstances surrounding both players could be influenced by PSG’s incoming transfer activity. “It’s just probably the similar answer in terms of when PSG get their attackers through the door, then they let the other ones out the exit door.” Importantly for Liverpool, Steele had heard nothing suggesting their interest in Ibrahim Mbaye had disappeared. “I’ve not heard anything to suggest that, you know, it’s not moving or that anything’s changed,” he said. “And as far as I understand it, there is interest in Mbaye.” Photo: IMAGO His message remained consistent with the wider discussion around Barcola. “We just have to be patient and hopefully things will start moving in the next few days or next week.” Liverpool Could Face Major Attacking Reshuffle Signing both Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye would create significant consequences elsewhere in Liverpool’s squad. Davis raised the future of Cody Gakpo, with the suggestion that Liverpool would be unlikely to sanction his departure before replacement attackers arrived. Steele believes a double PSG move could eventually change that position. “If they sign those two, I think they will probably have to sell up on Gakpo just in terms of the finances,” he explained. He estimated that acquiring both players would require considerable spending, adding that if Tottenham were prepared to make a major offer for Gakpo, Liverpool could potentially accept it. Again, Steele returned to the same transfer chain analogy. “When they’re done at one end, then it all starts moving,” he said. “The merry go round starts moving and hopefully that is sooner rather than later.” Final Weeks Could Define Liverpool’s Window There are three weeks remaining in the transfer window, and Liverpool still have substantial business to complete. Steele believes the market could become extremely active as Premier League clubs attempt to finish outstanding deals. “There’s an awful amount of work for not just Liverpool, but for a lot of the Premier League rivals to be doing,” he said. For Liverpool, Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye clearly remain prominent names. Steele finished the transfer discussion with an encouraging assessment of what Liverpool might still accomplish. “I think there’s still a confidence that Liverpool can get another two bodies through the door, maybe three.” For a club now placing its focus firmly on attacking additions, the coming weeks could determine whether Barcola, Mbaye, or potentially both, become part of Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool squad.