"PSG are willing sellers. Liverpool are willing buyers." David Lynch's read on the Liverpool and Paris Saint Germain talks is the sharpest line in the latest update. He also said he has "never really had any big worries about this deal", which fits the mood around Bradley Barcola more than the rest of the double move. Ibrahim Mbaye still looks like the harder part to pin down.

Barcola is the cleaner path

Liverpool have sent PSG a new bid worth €135m (£115m) for Barcola. PSG had initially wanted £145m, then lowered that to £125m, while Liverpool are also said to be willing to go up to £120m. Those numbers are close enough to suggest a deal can still land somewhere in the middle, even if the final figure is not set.

Lynch's confidence is not coming out of nowhere. He said, "I really do expect that he will end up at Liverpool. With Mbaye, I'm not quite sure, but he could do." Barcola's output also helps explain why Liverpool are pushing so hard. He has 8 appearances, 413 minutes and 3 goals in the verified season sample, with a 7.09 rating. That is the profile of a winger PSG can price heavily.

Mbaye remains the uncertain part

Mbaye is the more open-ended side of the reported package. Liverpool have agreed a five-year deal with him, but that does not make the transfer done. The latest reporting still leaves room for other outcomes, and Liverpool's apparent interest has not yet turned into the same level of certainty as it has with Barcola.

His numbers are lighter too. Mbaye has 4 appearances, 175 minutes and 1 goal in the verified season sample, with a 6.88 rating. PSG are also said to be hoping for £43-50m for him, while one report put the value closer to £30m. That gap tells you why this side of the deal feels less settled.

Lynch's line about Barcola and Mbaye captures the difference neatly without needing to force it. One target is being discussed like a deal that can come together. The other is still being negotiated like a player whose move depends on how far Liverpool and PSG are willing to go.

Barcola is the name to watch first, and the latest bid has taken Liverpool closer to that line. Mbaye still needs more work before anyone can call it settled.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →