Liverpool given Bradley Barcola ‘guarantee’ from Fabrizio Romano as transfer moves into decisive phase

Fabrizio Romano has described Liverpool as now being “super optimistic” that they will sign Bradley Barcola this summer amid fresh claims they are to launch a new offer for his services and could yet still sign his teammate Ibrahim Mbaye in a mega-money double transfer.

The Reds began their new era under Andoni Iraola with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, only salvaging a point thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s coolly taken 90+6 minute penalty.

While Cody Gakpo put in a decent enough performance and did also score the first Liverpool equaliser at St James’ Park, his place in the side is threatened by the potential arrival of the PSG superstar.

For much of the summer, Liverpool have been pursuing a deal, and while an opening offer has been rejected, talks have been ongoing between the clubs to try and break the deadlock.

In Liverpool’s favour are three facts: firstly, Barcola wants the move; secondly, PSG have a willingness to sell; and thirdly, the player has already agreed personal terms over a move to Anfield.

Now, Romano has given Liverpool their biggest hope yet that a deal is close, providing a very positive update across his YouTube channel.

“Don’t forget about Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye because both players once again are not part of the Paris Saint-Germain squad for the weekend,” Romano began.

“Bradley Barcola has been one of the sagas of the summer. If you are a friend of my YouTube channel, you heard Bradley Barcola to Liverpool since May, and I remain still super optimistic because Liverpool are working on it.”

“There is a daily conversation with PSG. “I [didn’t] expect a breakthrough over the weekend. I always told you it’s going to be a slow deal.”

However, in a super encouraging update, he added: “We are going to be in the final days of the summer transfer window, and that’s the case because it’s going to be next week, and so I don’t know if it’s going to be on the line day or before, but the conversation is going to the very end.

“But Liverpool are absolutely on it.”

READ MORE: Liverpool told PSG have ‘no intention’ of keeping Barcola as French insider drops biggest bomba transfer update yet

Liverpool given Romano ‘guarantee’ over Barcola transfer

Reports over the weekend claimed Liverpool are likely to launch a fresh offer for the star in the coming hours and in a move that will surpass the £117m (€136m, $160m) that Chelsea paid Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers, which is the biggest deal of the summer window so far.

Romano added his own take, offering a guarantee over the price.

“I know that in terms of reporting this story is not on a daily basis like I don’t know £80m offered, £90m requested, £100m offered, £110m requested is not like this because it’s a direct club-to-club conversation.

“PSG and Liverpool share a very good relationship, and they are talking club to club.

“I can guarantee to you that Liverpool already sent proposals for Barcola and it’s been all verbal between the two clubs, though PSG always ask for more.”

As for the likely size of the deal, Romano added: “I always told you here it’s not going to be €170m; it’s going to be less than this, so the conversation is ongoing to try to find the best structure of the deal for all parties involved.”

“But the fact that Barcola is not travelling [with the PSG squad to Rennes on Sunday], Luis Enrique is clearly saying if someone is here and he’s not happy it’s better to go, and the Paris Saint-Germain chairman is saying we will see what’s going to happen.”

In conclusion, Romano added: “It’s all pointing towards a Liverpool move by the end of the window, and I expect acceleration on the Bradley Barcola file in the next few days; definitely because Liverpool behind the scenes are absolutely on it.”

As for that second winger signing and amid links to Mbaye, Liverpool are instead now pursuing a deal for Yankuba Minteh, and the real reason why they chose the Brighton man over the PSG prospect has now come to light.

With regard to Gakpo’s future, Romano insists the Dutchman’s move to Tottenham is still ‘on’ after David Ornstein dropped a big update on  Liverpool’s plans to sell the star.