Liverpool supporters may have just been given the biggest reason yet to believe that Bradley Barcola will become a Liverpool player before the transfer window closes.
David Ornstein has put the chances of the deal happening at an incredible 85-90%, saying he expects Liverpool to reach an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for their winger.
And if Ornstein is right, Liverpool could be about to make one of the biggest statements of the entire summer.
Barcola is Liverpool’s priority
According to Ornstein, Barcola has emerged as Liverpool’s primary target for the wing positions.
That doesn’t come as a huge surprise.
Liverpool have been pursuing the 23-year-old for much of the summer, and the winger is reportedly keen on moving to Anfield.
The major stumbling block has been the transfer fee.
Liverpool and PSG have so far been unable to bridge the gap between their valuations of the player.
But that could be about to change.
The price could be falling
Some reports have suggested PSG initially wanted as much as £145 million for Barcola.
That’s an enormous figure.
However, recent reporting from L’Équipe has suggested that PSG could now be prepared to accept somewhere around £120 million.
That would still make Barcola one of Liverpool’s most expensive-ever signings.
But it would represent a significant reduction from PSG’s reported initial demands.
And perhaps more importantly, it gives Liverpool something to work with.
Ornstein: 85-90% chance
This is the part that really caught my attention.
Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Ornstein was asked to put a percentage on the chances of Barcola joining Liverpool.
His answer?
85-90%.
That’s huge.
Ornstein isn’t saying the deal is done.
He’s acknowledging that there is still a price gap between the clubs.
But he clearly believes there is enough momentum behind the negotiations to expect Liverpool to get the deal over the line.
It could happen before the deadline
The transfer deadline is fast approaching.
And Ornstein believes Liverpool could potentially complete the deal with days to spare.
That’s important.
Liverpool don’t want another last-minute scramble.
They need to get Barcola into the squad as quickly as possible so that he can begin adapting to Andoni Iraola’s football.
The sooner the deal is completed, the sooner Liverpool can start working out how to get the best from him.
Why Liverpool want Barcola so badly
The Newcastle game provided perhaps the clearest explanation.
Liverpool dominated possession but still struggled to create enough dangerous situations.
Alexander Isak was isolated.
Florian Wirtz struggled to influence the game.
And Cody Gakpo ended up being Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat.
What was missing?
Pace.
Directness.
A winger who can beat a defender.
That’s exactly what Barcola can provide.
Barcola could be perfect for Isak
This is perhaps the biggest reason I’m excited about the possibility.
Liverpool have just invested heavily in Alexander Isak.
Now they need to give him the service to make that investment worthwhile.
Barcola can stretch defences.
He can run in behind.
He can take defenders on.
He can create space for other attackers.
And he can provide another outlet when Liverpool are struggling to break a team down.
Imagine Isak with Barcola running beyond him and Wirtz operating centrally.
That’s a frightening prospect.
Why Ornstein believes the deal will happen
There are several reasons behind his confidence.
Firstly, Liverpool have made Barcola their priority.
Secondly, the player reportedly wants Liverpool.
Thirdly, PSG have strengthened their attacking options.
And finally, Liverpool have already invested significant time into the negotiations.
As Ornstein essentially pointed out, Liverpool have come this far for a reason.
It would be surprising to walk away now.
Could this be Liverpool’s statement signing?
Absolutely.
Liverpool have already made huge moves in the transfer market.
But Barcola would be another level.
You’re talking about a 23-year-old winger who is already performing at the highest level and still has enormous room for development.
He’s exactly the kind of player Liverpool should be trying to sign.
Young.
Fast.
Technical.
Hungry.
And capable of becoming a superstar.
Liverpool need to finish the job
There is still one major hurdle.
The fee.
Liverpool and PSG need to agree on the money.
But if PSG really are prepared to lower their demands and Barcola is pushing for Liverpool, the Reds have every reason to believe they can get this done.
And now one of the most respected journalists in football has put the probability at 85-90%.
That’s about as strong a prediction as you can get without someone actually saying:
“Here we go.”
Are we about to see Barcola at Anfield?
I think Liverpool supporters can start getting excited.
The deal isn’t complete.
The fee hasn’t been agreed.
But the momentum appears to be moving in one direction.
Towards Anfield.
Liverpool need another winger.
Barcola wants Liverpool.
Liverpool want Barcola.
PSG may be willing to lower their demands.
And David Ornstein believes there is an 85-90% chance the deal gets done.
Now Liverpool just need to finish the job.
Bradley Barcola could be a Liverpool player before next Tuesday.
And if that happens, the Reds may have just found the explosive attacking player they have been missing.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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