Retired Liverpool star says club 'being held to ransom' in Barcola transfer talks

The Merseyside team is currently preparing for the 2026-27 campaign, which kicks off later this month, and they have been in talks to acquire wantaway Paris Saint-Germain attacker Bardley Barcola. Liverpool and Barcola have reportedly agreed to personal terms, but PSG's massive valuation of the 23-year-old remains a stumbling block, as the Parisians are reported to want £145 million to part ways with their player.

That's £45 million higher than what Liverpool's said to be willing to spend, causing an impasse on what could end up being a record-breaking transfer.

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For Aldridge, who spent 2.5 seasons with the Reds in the late 1980s and topped the English top flight's scoring charts in 1986-87, PSG's demands may force Liverpool to find alternatives if they cannot land their top transfer target.

If not Barcola, Liverpool will need to upgrade their wing play somehow, he said. 

"I do think Bradley Barcola would be a good signing, but Liverpool are being held to ransom by Paris Saint-Germain at the moment, and it is starting to feel like they might just have to look elsewhere," Aldridge told DAZN News on behalf of BetGoodwin.

"The main thing they need to do is find a way to replace Mohamed Salah. To replace such an iconic player, you need to bring someone in who is one of the best players out there."

Additionally, Aldridge would like to see the Reds find a way to become more sturdy on the defensive end, perhaps by strengthening the midfield.

"I would also like to see them sign a Didi Hamann-style player who can sit in front of the back four," he said. "That said, they still have Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones to come back, so I’m not sure if they’ll prioritise signing a midfielder.

"Liverpool have looked frail at the back for a little while now, and if they had someone in front of the back four to act as a buffer for them, that would certainly help."

 

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