Liverpool are preparing to submit an opening offer for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, who is valued at £145million.
The Reds do not want to pay PSG's asking price and hope a deal can be struck for a smaller figure. Barcola is understood to be keen to join Liverpool after the club held talks with his representatives in the last week.
The 23-year-old France international has indicated he does not want a new contract with PSG and is open to joining Liverpool, who have held a long-term interest in him. PSG are considering selling him, even though he has two years left on his contract, and believe £145million is a fair price based on his age, potential and current market values.
Liverpool will look for a compromise, with Barcola's price reputed to have been closer to £75million last summer when they first approached his representatives.
Barcola is not a regular starter under Luis Enrique at PSG. Liverpool had also been pursuing RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, a move that would have pushed Barcola further down the pecking order, but Real Madrid declared their interest in the Ivory Coast international on Friday and that deal is now close to completion. Liverpool had an £85million bid for Diomande rejected, though Barcola has remained in their plans throughout.
Goals and World Cup form
Over the past two seasons at PSG, Barcola has scored 34 goals and provided 28 assists. He played in all eight of France's World Cup matches this year, scoring three goals, including one against England in the third-place play-off.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich also retain interest in Barcola, while Chelsea made enquiries earlier in the summer.
