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Even Bad News Pearce

All LFC journos now briefing that we've an agreement with Barcola and are readying the fax machine for a bid

Latest from L'Equipe Paris Saint-Germain striker Bradley Barcola, who has been in contact with Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, has given his verbal agreement to join the club in the north of England. The two clubs are in discussions but are still far from an agreement. This is perhaps a decisive step in this saga. After choosing, as revealed on Sunday, not to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, Bradley Barcola (23 years old, under contract with PSG until June 2028) has given his verbal agreement to Liverpool for a transfer. However, contrary to what was written by Italian media on Monday, this does not translate into a contractual agreement between the former Lyon player and Liverpool. The French winger, who has been in contact in recent days with several Liverpool executives as well as with manager Andoni Iraola, hopes the two clubs will reach an agreement allowing him to experience the Premier League. As reported in our pages this Tuesday morning, Liverpool's management has begun discussions with their Parisian counterparts. PSG, now open to a departure, remains firm on its financial demands. The gap remains significant. Can the agreement in principle reached with the French international allow the deal to move forward more quickly in the coming days? https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-bradley-barcola-a-parle-a-andoni-iraola-et-a-donne-son-accord-de-principe-a-liverpool/1707577?utm_source=Social media&utm_campaign=twitter&utm_content=photo&utm_medium=Social media

Hence his nickname, Stan

Torres makes Nunez look like an elite dead-eyed finisher

Better translation (French articles of this nature are normall wordy and obtuse in any case) Here's an English translation of the article: Will Barcola leave PSG this summer? The €120 million transfer saga set to dominate Paris's transfer window Bradley Barcola, who has decided not to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain beyond its current expiry in 2028, does not intend to force a move this summer. Meanwhile, the Parisian club wants to complete other transfer business before addressing the future of the French international forward. Bradley Barcola came on as a substitute during PSG's Champions League final against Arsenal. By Hugo Delom and José Barroso (with L.T.) Published: July 26, 2026, 12:59 p.m. These are the busiest hours of the transfer window. After the World Cup, which had frozen many situations, club presidents, sporting directors, and agents are sleeping very little—if at all. The European transfer market has suddenly intensified in recent days, with the futures of Diomandé, Vinícius, and Rodri all generating major attention. Bradley Barcola, who has been on holiday since France's defeat to England (6–4) in the World Cup third-place match in Miami, is also at the centre of this complex transfer puzzle. The former Lyon winger had chosen to postpone discussions about his future until after the World Cup so they would not distract him during the tournament. Now, after three seasons at PSG and two major European trophies, he had an important decision to make: extend his contract beyond 2028 or consider leaving the club at the age of 23 after making 152 appearances. Barcola has now made up his mind. After careful consideration, he has decided to end negotiations with PSG over a contract extension. A decision not driven by money Very little has emerged regarding the reasons behind his decision, but finances are not the issue. PSG's offer included a significant salary increase. Instead, Barcola was unhappy with his sporting role. Frequently used as the "12th man" and often deployed on the right wing—a position that does not best showcase his dribbling ability—he did not want to commit to a longer contract under those circumstances. He was also left on the bench for both Champions League finals before coming on as a substitute. Does this automatically mean he will leave this summer? That is the key question over the coming weeks. PSG's football leadership—Luis Enrique and Luis Campos—have repeatedly insisted that they want a squad made up of fully committed players. Refusing to renew sends a different message. Furthermore, PSG's sporting department is reluctant to let a player approach the final year of his contract, as that would likely reduce his transfer value in the future. Liverpool is an attractive destination Barcola, who is attracting interest from at least four major European clubs—Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea—does not intend to force a transfer. That is not his character. He disliked being portrayed as a mercenary when he left Lyon, especially since he had originally asked the club for a contract extension and a loan move. He fully recognises how much he has improved under Luis Enrique and appreciates the role PSG has played in his development between 2024 and 2026. He would not see staying for a fourth season in Paris as a failure. However, he now wants to explore opportunities where he feels he can thrive and receive greater trust. He believes he performs best when he has confidence from his club. Chelsea's interest was quickly dismissed because the London club will not be playing in European competition. Liverpool, on the other hand, appeals strongly to Barcola. However, the Premier League champions have so far adopted a patient approach, hoping PSG will lower their asking price. PSG's other transfer plans complicate matters Barcola also knows that his future depends on developments elsewhere in the European transfer market for wingers. Real Madrid's move for RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomandé—a player who was PSG's top transfer target and with whom personal terms had reportedly already been agreed—has significantly changed the situation. The unexpected intervention by Real Madrid frustrated PSG's hierarchy, who made no secret of their dissatisfaction. Some observers believe the sudden reports linking PSG with Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who is also a Real Madrid target, may have been a response to Madrid's actions. According to one source familiar with the situation: "It's a way for PSG to position themselves while also making Real Madrid understand that, after what they did with Diomandé, they'll have to overpay no matter what." A €120 million valuation This wider transfer battle will inevitably affect Barcola's future. First, financially: PSG value him at more than €120 million, limiting the number of clubs capable of signing him. Arsenal, for example, are believed to value him at around €80–90 million. Secondly, Luis Enrique will not allow Barcola to leave unless he has sufficient replacements. The coach has concluded that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia performs best when competing for his place, making squad depth on the wings essential. Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche, who remains very close to joining PSG, is viewed as an important piece of that plan, with PSG expected to submit a fourth bid soon. In addition, PSG are searching for another versatile attacking player to replace Gonçalo Ramos, who is set to join AC Milan. Ferran Torres and Eli Junior Kroupi are among the names under consideration. Even so, PSG do not believe they can begin the season with their current attacking rotation alone. The pursuit of Diomandé is not over. PSG enjoy a strong relationship with RB Leipzig and have no intention of giving up. For now, Bradley Barcola will have to wait.

Full LEquipe article Will Barcola leave PSG this summer? The 120 million euro file that will animate the Parisian market Bradley Barcola, who has decided not to extend the contract that binds him with PSG until 2028, does not want to go to the clash for a transfer this summer. For its part, the Parisian club wants to close other files before looking at the future of the French international striker. Bradley Barcola had entered the PSG Champions League final against Arsenal. (P. Lahalle/The Team) Bradley Barcola had entered the PSG Champions League final against Arsenal. (P. Lahalle/The Team) Hugo Delom, José Barroso (with L.T.) Published on July 26, 2026 at 12:59 pm 4 minutes Add The Team to your sources These are the longest hours. During which, after a World Cup that had frozen many situations, presidents, sports directors, agents no longer sleep. Or more. Diomandé, Vinicius, Rodri - we will come back to it: in recent hours, the European transfer market has experienced a sudden rise in tension. Bradley Barcola, on vacation since the defeat of the Blues in Miami during the small final against England (6-4), is also a central case of this immense equation with multiple unknowns. The former Lyonnais had wished, in order not to pollute his preparation for the World Cup, to postpone the exchanges on his future after the tournament. For him, the stakes were major: after three seasons at PSG, punctuated by the two most beautiful European titles, what to do? Validate the principle of an extension (it is linked to the club until 2028) or, on the contrary, decide that at 23, after 152 matches in the capital, the idea of a departure could make its way. Now, Barcola's mind is lighter. He chose, after reflection, to put an end to the suspense and not to continue to exchange with the Parisian club on the principle of an extension. A decision not motivated by the financial aspect Few elements have filtered on the reasons for this choice. Which are not financial: the proposal transmitted by PSG was accompanied by a comfortable increase. But Barcola, in a role of 12th man, often on one side (the right that less highlights his natural dribbling qualities), did not see his contract stretched on this sporting basis, which made him a substitute during the two C1 finals. Does this choice automatically lead him to a departure this summer? That's what's at stake for the next few weeks. The sportsman's bosses - Luis Enrique, Luis Campos - have repeated at will, in recent years, that they intended to build a group with fully invested players. The choice not to extend returns a different message. In addition, the sports management can hardly take the risk of letting a player head towards his last year of contract - which will end in the summer of 2028 - with the prospect of a less interesting sale in a year. Liverpool, a project that he likes Barcola, who is courted by at least four major European clubs - Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea - will not force a departure. Not the style of the player, who did not like being presented as a mercenary when he left Lyon when he had, at the time, asked to be extended and loaned. He fully measures his progress under Luis Enrique and the trace left on the game by this 2024-2026 promotion. And would not consider a fourth year in Paris as a failure. But he intends, today, to listen to the opportunities to find the most fulfilling ground (the Blues track, not qualified for the European Cup, was quickly postponed). A field where he would feel more considered, he who needs to be confident to be more efficient. Liverpool is a project that pleases him. But the club from the north of England has so far, in this file, used the strategy of patience to try to lower the amount. All the news from PSG Barcola knows that he will also depend, in the very short term, on the European winners' transfer window. Real Madrid's offensive on Leipzig striker Yan Diomandé, a Parisian priority target - a contractual agreement with the Ivorian had been reached for several weeks - changed the momentum. It has provoked serious reactions in the European sports departments. The Parisian leaders have not tasted this late and surprising overbidding of the Spanish club. And did not fail to make it known. The Diomandé file is a priority for PSG Should we perceive the leak, also sudden, of a potential interest from PSG for the Ballon d'Or Rodri - target of Real Madrid - as a form of response from PSG? Some think about it: "It's a way for them to position themselves but also to make Real understand that after what they did on Diomandé, they will, in any case, overpay," explains a good connoisseur of the file... This "game" will have consequences in the Barcola file. First of all on the financial level, because Paris values it beyond €120 million, which will reduce the range of possibilities, Arsenal, for example having positioned itself around €80-90 million. And within the staff of Luis Enrique. The Parisian coach will not open the door to a departure of his French international without substantial resources, a fortiori when he recorded that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia needed to be put in competition to deliver his genius. The Monegasque Maghnes Akliouche, still so close to PSG, will be a valuable "tool" in this context. PSG must quickly formulate a fourth offer to recruit the left-hander. But Paris, which is also looking for a versatile offensive element capable of filling the departure at Gonçalo Ramos' AC Milan (Ferran Torres, Eli Junior Kroupi), can it start its season with this rotation of strikers? Probably not. The Diomandé file is not closed. Paris, which has strong relations with Leipzig, is not determined to give up... And Barcola will have to wait.

Vini Jr a risk as the huge transfer fee could be an albatross around his neck

All the ITKs out this morning with Rayan chatter

Ian Doyle doing a James Pearce over at the Echo

Indy has spoken

Hope Iraola has set up a Wish List

Spence is an athlete, he's not a footballer. Certainly has no positional sense or awareness of danger. He'll go for 80 million based on one tackle.

Rant over Here’s a real super villain we can all get behind though Liverpool primed for Bezos bid

No different but it’s still an obscenely rich man getting ever more obscenely rich because of people’s love for a football club he had nothing to do with building. If he sells for the sum the Mittal bid values the club, he’ll be taking six billion. Six billion that won’t be invested in the club, six billion that won’t be spent in the city, not a cent of it. Six billion so his great grandchildren can have huge yachts. I don’t like him, I don’t like FSG, I don’t like the hyper capitalistic greed iis not only good but essential, fleece the fans of every penny transfer of more money from have nots to haves shakedown that modern football has become.

All set up nicely for John Henry to exit with about three billion in pure profit in his back pocket - three billion taken from or reluctantly given to him by Liverpool fans.

Now confirmed in the FT story FSG confirmed the consortium’s interest in a statement to the FT. “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club,” it said. Bhatia declined to comment. People familiar with the talks stressed that no deal had yet been struck and there was no certainty an agreement would be reached.

FT Liverpool FC owner in talks to sell minority stake to Mittal family-backed consortium A consortium of investors led by Amit Bhatia and backed by the Mittal family is in talks to buy a significant minority stake in Liverpool Football Club, in a deal that would value the English Premier League side at more than $6bn. The investor group headed by Bhatia, the son-in-law of steel tycoon and billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, has hired advisers to work on the offer and is in active talks with Liverpool’s current US owners Fenway Sports Group, according to people familiar with the matter. The football club was expected to be valued at more than $6bn in any transaction, three people said, one of the highest in football history. The attempted deal underlines the continued appeal of England’s top-tier football clubs and the global reach of the Premier League. FSG confirmed the consortium’s interest in a statement to the FT. “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club,” it said. Bhatia declined to comment. People familiar with the talks stressed that no deal had yet been struck and there was no certainty an agreement would be reached. This is a developing story The young man in question

BBC Gossip have Teamtalk saying Sport Bild are reporting that we’re in the driving seat for Japanese midfielder Sano from Mainz. But, online at least, Sport Bild last reported on Sano interest on 1 July when they were merely reposting reports from Japan’s Nikkan Sport.

BBC Gossip have Corriere della Sport saying we’re monitoring France and Roma’s Koné with Atlético having had a bid rejected

It’s not surprising given the club he played mostly for and the region he is from that he wants to feel the connection between the city and the club.

Everyone in FSG built their reputations that way. Not one has looked remotely competent or even bothered outside the Klopp context.

He was fit enough to play a round of golf last week in Clones (just south of the border)