The summer transfer window entered a volatile new phase on Wednesday as a series of high-stakes standoffs emerged across Europe. Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola has verbally agreed to join Liverpool, but the sides remain far apart on a fee — a deadlock that could trigger a chain reaction involving Real Madrid and a teenage sensation from the Bundesliga.
Barcola, 23, has given his word to Liverpool, according to L'Equipe, but the significant gap in valuation means no deal is certain. Should the move collapse, PSG are expected to turn their attention to Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger at RB Leipzig — a player Real Madrid are also pursuing.
“Barcola agrees Liverpool move but fee gap remains; Real Madrid reject Arsenal's Vinicius Jr approach and bid for Diomande.”
Real Madrid have already submitted a second offer for Diomande worth between €110m and €115m (approximately £94m to £98.3m), and have verbally agreed personal terms with the player, according to Sky Germany. The La Liga champions are also dealing with interest in their own star: Vinicius Junior.
Arsenal are prepared to offer the 26-year-old Brazilian the biggest contract in the club's history, the Daily Telegraph reports, with Vinicius currently earning £400,000 a week. But Real Madrid have no intention of selling him, Sky Sports reports, and are confident he will sign a new deal before his contract expires next summer.
Elsewhere, Everton are demanding around £70m for Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye, 26, with Manchester United and Al-Hilal both circling, according to the Mirror. United are also willing to let Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee leave and are in talks with Juventus, Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are close to agreeing a deal for Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, with personal terms not expected to be a problem, according to Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook.
The dominoes are yet to fall, but the pieces are in motion.