Liverpool’s transfer window has lurched from one complication to another this summer, but the next 18 days could reshape the club’s midfield and attack simultaneously. With the deadline now fewer than three weeks away, reports that Andoni Iraola’s priorities are shifting—amid fresh interest in two first-team midfielders—mean the Reds face a dual challenge: finalising Bradley Barcola while preparing for the possibility of losing key players.
Barcola remains the priority, but the price is immovable
Liverpool have been locked in talks with Paris Saint-Germain for Barcola since June, yet PSG’s valuation has not shifted. The French club are demanding £145m for the 23-year-old, a figure that has repeatedly stalled progress. Reports suggest Liverpool have agreed personal terms, but the fee remains the sticking point. Arsenal’s late entry into the race complicates matters further; the Gunners, having failed to land Vinícius Júnior, are now weighing a move for Barcola themselves. With both clubs facing a seven-figure asking price, Iraola’s preferred attacking reinforcement could slip through his fingers unless a breakthrough occurs in the coming days.
Mac Allister’s future hangs by a thread
Liverpool are bracing for approaches for Alexis Mac Allister, whose contract runs until 2026 but whose form has dipped since his £55m arrival from Brighton. Galatasaray have registered interest via intermediaries, probing Liverpool on a potential fee and wage demands. The situation is exacerbated by Manchester City’s reported shortlist for a midfield replacement, though no contact has been made with Liverpool. Should Mac Allister depart, Iraola would inherit a midfield reshuffle with Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, and Wataru Endo all having been linked with exits or unsettled by summer speculation. The Reds’ hierarchy, who have prioritised attacking reinforcements, may now need to pivot—fast.
Defensive signings mask deeper structural questions
Amid the chaos, Liverpool have completed two defensive deals: the loan of Ronald Araújo and the permanent signing of Víctor Muñoz. These moves address immediate needs but do little to resolve the uncertainty in midfield and attack. The club’s hierarchy have spent the summer chasing Barcola, yet the absence of a clear plan B for Mac Allister’s potential departure leaves Iraola exposed. With the window tightening, the Reds must decide whether to gamble on Barcola’s £145m price tag or recalibrate their transfer strategy entirely.
Iraola’s summer has been defined by shifting targets. Initially focused on replacing Mohamed Salah, he now confronts the prospect of losing two midfield starters. The club’s hierarchy, meanwhile, remain fixated on the final third—a gamble that could backfire if Mac Allister departs. With Arsenal circling Barcola and Galatasaray probing Mac Allister’s availability, Liverpool’s window risks closing with more questions than answers.
If Iraola is to salvage this transfer window, he will need to secure Barcola before Arsenal do—or prepare for a midfield overhaul that could reshape the entire squad. The next fortnight will determine whether Liverpool’s summer of frustration ends in triumph or further upheaval.
Leave a Reply