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France's Bradley Barcola is Liverpool's top transfer target this summer -Credit:Rob Newell - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images
Liverpool have not yet initiated discussions with Paris Saint-Germain regarding transfer target Bradley Barcola, despite reports in France that the winger has verbally committed to joining Anfield.
The Reds have identified France international Barcola as their top priority this summer window after the departure of Mohamed Salah as a free agent, but European champions PSG have thus far been hesitant to part with the 23-year-old.
PSG had been attempting to arrange a deal valued at over £100 million ($132.9 million) for RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, which could have eased their position on Barcola.
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-Credit:Glenn Gervot - PSG, PSG via Getty Images
Nevertheless, Ivory Coast international Diomande is now anticipated to sign with Real Madrid after interest from the Spanish capital surfaced last week in the 19-year-old, who had also attracted attention at Anfield, as per The Liverpool Echo.
And on Sunday, PSG took the rare step of officially announcing their withdrawal from the pursuit of Diomande as substantial interest from Real Madrid was reported.
The statement read: "PSG has this evening officially withdrawn its interest and its bids for Yan Diomande.
"The asking transfer fee and salary demands were completely disproportionate and distortive – and PSG will not break its principles of rational financial management and squad balance.
"As a two-time consecutive Champions League winner and the most successful club in recent years, PSG will also not engage in the inflationary and manipulative games of certain player agents – and will instead calmly and confidently continue its transfer planning."
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That development had led many to anticipate PSG would hold firm on keeping Barcola, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal this summer.
Yet with two years remaining on his contract, the attacker has shown little desire to extend his stay at Parc des Princes, despite the Ligue 1 champions pushing to secure the former OL Lyon standout on fresh terms over the past 12 months.
On Tuesday, L'Equipe reported that Barcola had reached an agreement to join the Reds following conversations with head coach Andoni Iraola, with the prominent French outlet writing: "This could be a decisive step in this saga."
However, it is understood that formal negotiations with PSG are yet to get underway, and any transfer for the talented winger is anticipated to exceed £100 million.
That price tag is unlikely to deter Liverpool, having already signaled a readiness to bid up to £86 million ($114.3 million) for Diomande to Leipzig last month, with head coach Iraola repeatedly emphasizing the need for greater pace in wide positions since taking charge at Anfield.
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Liverpool have already secured the signing of Spain international winger Victor Munoz this summer after triggering his £34.5 million ($46 million) release clause at Osasuna, but Iraola has been transparent about the club's requirement for additional reinforcements on the wings.
Speaking at a press conference in Chicago last week, Iraola said: "You have to be always open to new options to improve the squad. There are obvious situations where we need to sign players.
"A winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have."
During his introduction at the club's AXA Training Centre two weeks ago, Iraola stated: "Obviously we've signed two players already, but we need more players, we know this.
"The club is working on this. Me as a coach, selfishly I want the players here from day one ready to train for preseason but understand football doesn't work like this. I know the club is working hard for those signings and I'm trying to help also."
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