Liverpool set to sign £120m Barcola as Premier League transfer dominoes fall
Liverpool are on the brink of landing Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola in a blockbuster deal worth up to £120m, with more than £100m guaranteed, in a move that could jolt the late summer market into life.
The 21-year-old is set to become the latest headline arrival at Anfield, a statement signing that underlines Liverpool’s willingness to spend big to refresh their forward line. His imminent arrival is already shaping the futures of others.
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo is at the heart of that. Tottenham remain strongly interested in the Netherlands international and are ready to move once Liverpool complete the Barcola transfer. For Spurs, Gakpo is a priority target; for Liverpool, Barcola’s signing could be the trigger that finally unlocks negotiations.
Chelsea move for Ahanor
While Liverpool look to France, Chelsea are turning to Italy for their next defensive prospect.
The Blues are in talks with Atalanta over 18-year-old centre-back Honest Ahanor, one of the most highly regarded young defenders in Serie A, according to BBC Sport. Chelsea’s recruitment team see him as another long-term piece in their rebuild and are pushing to get the deal over the line before the window shuts.
Villa shake up the striker market
Aston Villa are preparing a major reshuffle in attack.
Nicolas Jackson is set to undergo a medical with Villa after they agreed a £65m fee with Chelsea for the striker, reports The Telegraph. Jackson’s move is poised to set off another chain reaction: his arrival is expected to clear the way for Ollie Watkins to join Al Hilal in a £51m deal.
Villa’s work does not stop there. They are battling Crystal Palace for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, with Palace attempting to hijack the Midlands club’s move, according to BBC Sport. At the same time, Villa have asked West Ham about defender Jean-Clair Todibo, say the Daily Mail, as they push to bolster their back line before deadline day.
There is business going out as well. Ipswich Town are close to agreeing a loan deal for Villa striker Tammy Abraham, Sky Sports report, offering the forward a fresh Premier League platform.
City and Arsenal circle Ndiaye
At the top end of the table, two title contenders are tracking the same target.
Manchester City and Arsenal are both monitoring Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, according to TalkSport. The Senegal international is reportedly valued at around £80m, a figure that reflects his growing status and Everton’s determination to drive a hard bargain.
If Barcola to Liverpool is the first big piece to fall, the question now is how many of these moves follow before the window slams shut.
