Liverpool face a busy finish to the summer transfer window ahead of the 11pm deadline on Tuesday, September 1, with Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola keen to complete a move to Anfield.
Top of the shopping list for Liverpool is a wide forward to replace Mohamed Salah, while the Premier League club could also recruit a second winger before the market closes.
Liverpool have had a quiet summer transfer window so far, making only two additions: winger Victor Munoz from Spanish club Osasuna for £34.5 million, and defender Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
Defender Jeremy Jacquet also arrived at Anfield this summer after his £60 million transfer from French side Rennes was agreed in January. The finances of Jacquet's deal count toward this year's accounts, bringing Liverpool's summer spending to just north of £100 million under manager Andoni Iraola.
Winger Search and PSG Negotiations
According to sources, France international Bradley Barcola is desperate to join Liverpool and is "all in" on making the move happen.
Barcola has been Liverpool's top target for some time, dating back to when German side RB Leipzig turned down an £86 million approach for winger Yan Diomande, who subsequently joined Real Madrid for roughly £120 million.
However, French and European champions Paris Saint-Germain have been stubborn over their valuation of Barcola. PSG value the forward at around £145 million, a price tag Liverpool view as too high.
PSG have signed several forwards this summer, bringing in Mika Godts from Ajax, World Cup hero Ferran Torres from Barcelona, and Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco.
Liverpool had also looked at Akliouche earlier in the summer, but it was always clear the young Frenchman preferred a move to Paris.
Those incomings could prompt PSG to soften their valuation of Barcola. Liverpool were also previously tracking his 18-year-old PSG team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye.
The situation regarding Barcola remains clear-cut: Liverpool want him, the player wants Liverpool, and PSG will do a deal if the price is right.
The pursuit of Mbaye is less clear, with differing reports surrounding his potential transfer. Reports in French newspapers on Tuesday suggested Mbaye has an agreement to join Liverpool, but sources in England have played this down, insisting interest was merely exploratory.
Liverpool's negotiations for Munoz and Araujo accelerated quickly earlier in the window, with initial contact made with Araujo's camp just four days before he flew to England for his medical.
As it stands, Liverpool are set to begin the season with Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, and Munoz as their main wing options, with out-of-favour Federico Chiesa and youngster Lewis Koumas in the background. Gakpo is currently subject to interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
Midfield Departures and Youth Promotion
In midfield, Curtis Jones is on the verge of joining Italian champions Inter Milan for around £30 million following a summer-long back and forth.
The England international, who joined Liverpool's academy at age nine, has had his heart set on a move to Serie A after failing to regularly establish himself as a starter at Anfield. Inter Milan had a bid of around £21 million turned down earlier in the summer.
If the deal goes through, Jones will become the third English player signed by Inter Milan during this transfer window, following defender John Stones and full-back Djed Spence. The sale represents a solid cash injection for Liverpool for a player entering the final year of his contract.
As it stands, Liverpool do not plan to sign a midfielder to replace Jones, though that position could change if a deal becomes available in the last week of the market.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has long been linked with a move to Merseyside, but the Selhurst Park club want a fee of around £100 million, and there is no indication that Liverpool are interested.
With no midfield signing expected, Liverpool plan to promote two youngsters to the first team: Trey Nyoni and James McConnell.
The 19-year-old Nyoni excelled in pre-season, standing out as one of Liverpool's top performers on their tour of the United States, and is pushing for first-team minutes amid considerable interest from other clubs.
McConnell, who spent time on loan at Dutch club Ajax last season, saw a proposed loan move to Championship side Preston North End blocked by Liverpool in recent days. Preston had agreed a deal and met with the player after regular game time was promised, but Liverpool pulled the plug.
McConnell spoke directly to Iraola on Friday and was told he remains part of the manager's plans after impressing in training. McConnell also met with sporting director Richard Hughes, who stressed that there is no official pecking order in midfield, leaving both McConnell and Nyoni eligible to push for minutes.
Potential Exits and Defensive Loan Deals
Regarding other potential exits, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was linked with Real Madrid, but no formal proposal emerged. His father, Carlos Mac Allister, publicly denied any talks with other clubs. The Argentine midfielder has two years remaining on his contract, with no new deal currently on the table.
Harvey Elliott failed to take his chance in pre-season after returning from a difficult year on loan at Aston Villa. Having barely played over the last 12 months, his fitness level is not where it should be.
Italian winger Federico Chiesa began Liverpool's American tour well with a goal against Sunderland, stating afterwards that he was committed to the club and wanted to prove critics wrong. However, several clubs are monitoring his situation, leaving his future uncertain.
On the loan front, 18-year-old defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is on the verge of joining Spanish La Liga side Levante on a season-long loan.
Ndukwe, who was signed from Austrian club Austria Vienna in January, was a revelation in pre-season while playing at centre-back and earning praise from Iraola. However, he lacks an English work permit due to complex new regulations.
Levante are set to win the race for Ndukwe ahead of multiple European clubs. Liverpool will review the loan in January, by which point he should have sufficient points to play in England.
Winger Kieran Morrison is on the verge of joining Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on loan, with the club racing to register him in time to feature against Bradford on Thursday night.
Youngster Lewis Koumas has a queue of clubs seeking to take him on loan. The former Hull City, Birmingham City, and Stoke City loanee, who is the son of former Premier League midfielder Jason Koumas, could remain at Anfield after impressing Iraola, though his situation may shift if Liverpool are busy with incoming transfers.
Defender Luke Chambers, 22, also has suitors after an impressive loan spell at Charlton Athletic last season. Iraola admires Chambers, who can play at centre-back and left-back, and Liverpool will not send him on loan without clear purpose.
Full-back Calvin Ramsay is also on the list of potential exits, with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren tracking him. Meanwhile, fellow full-back Owen Beck is set to stay at Liverpool following a setback in his recovery from injury.
