£250k per week forward can't stay: It's him or Bradley Barcola

Liverpool are firmly in the hunt for Bradley Barcola.

The France winger, 23, has loomed into focus as the No1 choice to replace Mohamed Salah. Barcola is under contract at Paris Saint-Germain until 2028 but with little chance of him signing a new deal the time to cash in is moving ever closer.

The two-time European champions are sticking to their sky-high valuation of the Lyon academy product however.

Despite paying only around £45m for Barcola in 2023 the Parisians are thought to want £145m before agreeing to sell the forward who can play both sides of the attack.

PSG's sky-high Barcola price

That price is a little too rich for Liverpool - who have spent close to £100m already this summer following on from their £450m splurge last year.

Richard Hughes - the Anfield side’s sporting director - is seeking to pay closer to £115m for Barcola and it’s clear there is a gap in the valuation of the player between the two sides.

And in order to make up the shortfall there is little doubt that the Merseysiders will have to make certain sacrifices.

Gakpo wanted by Spurs

We could see midfielders like Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic make way while a departure from the attack also seems likely before Barcola arrives.

Cody Gakpo, 27, has been showing strong form under new head coach Andoni Iraola in preseason but has been linked with the exit door.

Tottenham under Roberto De Zerbi are thought to be very keen on adding the Dutch international - with £60m discussed as a potential fee.

Liverpool are protected by a 2030 contract expiry for the £250k per week forward - who inked his long-term extension last year.

Gakpo sale to fund Barcola raid

A report in Caught Offside is now claiming that Gakpo’s potential departure is as a result of the charge for Barcola. Liverpool won’t be able to furnish the deal for the double Champions League winner unless Gakpo goes.

“He remains under contract until 2030, meaning Liverpool have no need to sell unless Tottenham meet their valuation,” the report reads.

“His exit also appears closely connected to Liverpool’s attempts to strengthen the wings.”

Liverpool are also supposed to be in the chase for Ibrahim Mbaye - PSG’s 18-year-old winger who is available this summer. Mbaye is a different player stylistically to Barcola and prefers to play from the right-hand side.

The right-footer - along with Barcola - has been left out of PSG’s squad at the start of the season.

Neither played in the French Super Cup defeat to Lens over the weekend with Luis Enrique refusing to engage with reporters’ questions over the fate of the wantaway pair.