Liverpool's Barcola bid sparks centre‑back dilemma at Anfield

[Getty Images] Liverpool are preparing an opening bid for Paris St-Germain's France international Bradley Barcola, valued at about £145 million, but the Reds hope to secure his services for closer to £100 million. The move has created confusion among Reds fans who fear a large chunk of the transfer budget could be spent on another forward.

Jim Boardman of Anfield Index Pro told BBC Radio Merseyside that Liverpool’s money perhaps needs to be spent on a centre‑back, highlighting the club’s urgent need for experienced cover at centre‑back for the upcoming season.

Although Jeremy Jacquet arrived from Rennes in a £60 million deal, Andoni Iraola’s side still lack experience within their defensive unit. The Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk has missed the US pre‑season trip because of his World Cup schedule, forcing Iraola to rely on youngsters Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye.

Liverpool’s recruitment lifeline hinges on Barcola’s arrival

Joe Gomez provides senior cover but came off injured against Sunderland last week, and 19‑year‑old Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from a serious knee injury. Van Dijk has now returned to the AXA Training Centre to begin pre‑season training and will have to build a new centre‑back partnership.

Boardman acknowledged the potential signing of Barcola was "exciting" but added, "I still feel worried that we're not going out there looking for someone who can be experienced cover at centre‑back. We need to look at someone in that position. I am hoping we save some money to do that as well."

So far this summer Liverpool have spent £94.5 million on Jacquet and Spain winger Victor Munoz. The Barcola target fee of around £100 million would therefore represent a significant allocation of resources compared with the club’s recent outlay.

If the deal goes through, Liverpool could add a high‑profile French forward while still needing to address their defensive deficiencies, meaning the club may have to balance Barcola’s cost against further investment in a centre‑back. For Paris St‑Germain, a sale below the £145 million valuation would free up funds and potentially reshape their attacking options. The outcome will shape transfer strategies on both sides of the Channel, and the decision will be scrutinised at St.