Liverpool's Transfer Strategy: Wingers and Centre-Forward Focus
Liverpool’s transfer plan for the final stretch of the window is clear: two wingers in, and, if possible, a centre-forward to ease the load. The club have even picked up the phone to Real Madrid about one of the most hyped young strikers in the world. The answer was blunt.
Wingers first: Barcola in focus, Mbaye stalls
Liverpool are pushing hard to reshape their wide options before the deadline. Bradley Barcola remains the priority, with personal terms already agreed. That part of the deal is parked and ready.
The second winger slot has been far more complicated.
For much of August, all roads seemed to lead to Ibrahim Mbaye. Like Barcola, the PSG attacker has an agreement in place with Liverpool on the player side. But PSG’s €70m asking price has hit a wall. French journalist Fabrice Hawkins reports that Liverpool – under Andoni Iraola and backed by FSG – simply do not want to go beyond €50m.
That gap has changed the direction of the whole operation.
Minteh emerges as the alternative
With Mbaye effectively priced out, Liverpool have turned to Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh as the man to come in alongside Barcola.
Two offers have already gone in, the latest worth around £60m. Brighton have resisted so far, holding firm on their valuation. The key detail, though: Minteh has agreed personal terms with Liverpool. Those around the deal now expect that a third bid, in the region of £65m-£70m, would likely force Brighton to say yes.
While those winger talks play out, another problem hangs over Iraola’s squad.
Isak isolated, Ekitike out – and a bold call to Madrid
At centre-forward, Alexander Isak is carrying the load on his own. Hugo Ekitike is sidelined with a ruptured Achilles and is not expected back until around the turn of the year. That leaves Liverpool light through the middle at a time when the fixture list is about to tighten.
So the club looked up the food chain.
According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, Liverpool contacted Real Madrid to explore a deal for Brazilian striker Endrick. Not just a casual enquiry either – they checked both a loan with a buy option and the possibility of a permanent move built around a big proposal.
They were not the first to try.
Roma and AC Milan had already sounded out Endrick’s camp in recent days, testing whether there was any room for a loan. Aston Villa also made a call two weeks ago. Every time, the response from Madrid was the same: no chance. No doors open. No discussions.
Liverpool got exactly the same treatment.
Florentino Perez, Jose Mourinho close ranks around Endrick
Romano reports that the stance at the Bernabeu comes straight from the top. President Florentino Perez and head coach Jose Mourinho have decided Endrick stays put.
Real Madrid want him in their squad, wearing the No 9 shirt, and fighting for his place this season. As of now, there is “nothing in terms of chances” for a move, Romano stresses. The club do not want him to leave.
The only caveat is time.
If by late December, around Christmas, Endrick is still not playing regularly, Madrid may be more open to revisiting the idea of a loan – similar to his spell at Lyon last season. That possibility hangs over January, a situation to be monitored rather than one to bank on.
For the moment, though, the door is locked. Endrick stays, Liverpool look elsewhere, and the clock on this window keeps ticking louder.
