Bradley Barcola Liverpool transfer latest as Reds step move for No.1 priority

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Liverpool are yet to open talks with Paris Saint-Germain over transfer target Bradley Barcola, despite reports in France that the winger has verbally agreed to move to Anfield.The Reds have earmarked France international Barcola as their No.1 priority this summer window following the departure of Mohamed Salah as a free agent, but European champions PSG have so far been reluctant to sell the 23-year-old.PSG had been looking to engineer a deal worth over £100m for RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, which might have softened their stance over Barcola.However, Ivory Coast international Diomande is now expected to join Real Madrid after interest from the Spanish capital emerged last week in the 19-year-old, who had also been of interest at Anfield.And on Sunday, PSG took the unusual step of formally declaring themselves out of the race for Diomande as strong interest from Real Madrid was reported.The statement read: "PSG has this evening officially withdrawn its interest and its bids for Yan Diomande."The asking transfer fee and salary demands were completely disproportionate and distortive – and PSG will not break its principles of rational financial management and squad balance.“As a two-time consecutive Champions League winner and the most successful club in recent years, PSG will also not engage in the inflationary and manipulative games of certain player agents – and will instead calmly and confidently continue its transfer planning.”That development had led to many expecting PSG to steel their resolve over retaining Barcola, who has also been linked with Arsenal this summer.But with two years left on his deal the attacker has shown no inclination to extend his terms at Parc des Princes, despite the Ligue 1 champions looking to tie down the former Lyon star to fresh terms over the past 12 months.On Tuesday, it was reported in L'Equipe that Barcola had agreed to join the Reds after talks with head coach Andoni Iraola, with the influential French publication writing: "This could be a decisive step in this saga."However, formal discussions with PSG are yet to begin as things stand it's understood, and any deal for the skillful winger is expected to cost north of £100m.That is unlikely to put Liverpool off from a move, having communicated a willingness to Leipzig last month to bid up to £86m for Diomande and the need for more pace in wide areas has been stressed by head coach Iraola in his dealings with the media since arriving at Anfield.Liverpool have already signed Spain international winger Victor Munoz this summer after his £34.5m release clause at Osasuna was triggered but Iraola has made no secret of the club's need for further reinforcements out wide.Speaking last week at a press conference in Chicago, Iraola said: "You have to be always open to new options to improve the squad. There are obvious situations where we need to sign players."A winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have."At his unveiling at the club's AXA Training Centre two weeks ago, Iraola said: “Obviously we've signed two players already but we need more players, we know this."The club is working on this.

Me as a coach, selfishly I want the players here from day one ready to train for preseason but understand football doesn't work like this."I know the club is working hard for those signings and I’m trying to help also."FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page