Liverpool Signs Bradley Barcola and Eyes Additional Forward Amid Gakpo Transfer Talks
Liverpool has finalized the acquisition of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old France international is set to join the club for a fee around £123 million, just falling short of the club’s record of £125 million paid to Newcastle for Alexander Isak.
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Simultaneously, discussions for Cody Gakpo‘s transfer to Manchester City is advancing. The 27-year-old reportedly wishes to make the switch to the Etihad, leaving manager Andoni Iraola short of attacking options.
Barcola’s arrival appears set to coincide with the potential signing of another forward should Gakpo’s move to City be completed.
Liverpool Targets Sarr and Minteh
Reports indicate two primary targets: Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace and Yankuba Minteh of Brighton.
Sarr, now 28, faced a £50 million bid last week which Crystal Palace refused. A new attempt may arise with the latest valuation placing the former Marseille player’s worth at approximately £70 million.
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In contrast, 22-year-old Minteh could command an even higher fee.
Brighton Seeks £80 Million for Minteh
Brighton has rejected offers of £50 million and £60 million for the young Gambian winger, with the club reportedly holding out for £80 million.
Currently, Minteh is recovering from an injury sustained during preseason and is not expected to return until October or November.
Nevertheless, he has emerged as a target for Liverpool, with sources indicating that Minteh is Iraola’s preferred option for the right wing position.
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Minteh is Iraola’s Preferred Choice
“Yankuba Minteh is the preferred choice of Andoni Iraola, sources confirmed,” Gambian journalist Foday Manneh stated on X.
“The LFC head coach has great admiration for the player and believes he possesses the qualities needed for the club’s balance.”
However, Sarr remains a viable option, with one of the two likely to join Liverpool before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
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“Ismaila Sarr is still a target for Liverpool,” Manneh noted.
“The choice between the two players will depend on the resolution of Gakpo’s situation.”
While Minteh’s injury status poses challenges, leaving Liverpool with a temporary gap on the right, the urgency remains.
“The only uncertainty from LFC regarding Minteh is how quickly he can recover from his injury,” Manneh reported.
“Sources close to the situation anticipate an exciting 24 hours ahead.”
Liverpool have secured the signing of Bradley Barcola from Parid Saint-Germain.
The France international, 23, is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £123m – just shy of the club record £125m paid to Newcastle for Alexander Isak.
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At the same time it looks like a deal for Cody Gakpo to join Manchester City is opening up. The 27-year-old reportedly wants to make the move to the Etihad – leaving Andoni Iraola once again an attacker light.
It would now seem that Barcola will arrive alongside one more forward in the event of Gakpo’s transfer to City being wrapped up.
Sarr and Minteh are wanted
There are two main targets per various reports – with Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh both in the frame.
Sarr, 28, was approached last week for a £50m deal which was knocked back by the Eagles. It would appear that the right winger will be the subject of another transfer attempt with the latest transfer valuation putting the former Marseille man at around £70m.
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Meanwhile 22-year-old Minteh could go for even more.
Brighton have asked for £80m for Minteh deal
Brighton turned down bids worth £50m and £60m for the young Gambian left-footer – with the South Coast side reportedly holding out for around £80m.
Minteh is currently out injured following a blow in preseason and isn’t expected back until October or November.
That hasn’t stopped him emerging as a Liverpool target with a source close to talks now revealing that Minteh is Andoni Iraola’s pick for the right wing position.
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Minteh is Andoni Iraola’s choice
“Yankuba Minteh is the preferred choice of Andoni Iraola, sources confirmed,” Foday Manneh – a Gambian journalist – writes on X.
“The LFC head coach has huge admiration for the player and the qualities he possesses to help the club get the balance it needs.”
Sarr remains in the picture however with one or the other likely to arrive at Anfield before the window closes on Tuesday.
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“Of course, Ismaila Sarr remains a target too for Liverpool,” he writes.
“At this point, they have not yet decided which player to go for. This depends on Gakpo’s situation being resolved.”
It’s not ideal that Minteh is currently out injured – leaving Liverpool with a gap to fill on the right side in the short term.
“The only doubt I understand coming from LFC now about Minteh is how soon he could recover from his injury,” Manneh writes.
“Sources closer to the situation are expecting an exciting 24 hours.”
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