PSG's Strategic Moves: Godts and Barcola Transfer Saga

Paris Saint-Germain are trying to pull off a delicate double move in the market – and every step with Mika Godts now shapes what happens to Bradley Barcola.

The French champions have told Liverpool they are prepared to soften their stance on Barcola’s price, but only if the Premier League side edge much closer to their valuation. At the same time, PSG have gone back in for Ajax winger Godts with a renewed offer that now sits close to the Dutch club’s demands, and there is growing expectation that a deal for the 21-year-old could be wrapped up this weekend.

Inside PSG, Godts is not just another attacking option. He is the chosen replacement for Barcola. His arrival is seen as the trigger that finally allows the France international to walk out of the Parc des Princes.

Talks over Godts have accelerated. Jorge Mendes is involved in driving the negotiations and the proposed transfer is expected to land at around €50million. PSG believe once Godts is through the door, they can give the green light to Barcola’s sale after initially planting a £145m price tag on him.

Barcola, for his part, is ready. He has already agreed personal terms with Liverpool and his preference for Anfield has been obvious from the start of this saga. Arsenal have tracked the situation and held conversations of their own, but sources indicate Liverpool remain out in front, with the 23-year-old having committed to the move in principle.

Only one thing is holding it back: the fee.

Liverpool currently value Barcola at around £100million. PSG, according to club sources, think a compromise can be found closer to £125million. Even at that level, the deal would threaten to set a new benchmark for a British transfer, eclipsing last summer’s move that took Alexander Isak to Newcastle.

PSG have now signalled to Liverpool that there is room to manoeuvre. The door is open, but the Ligue 1 side want a serious shift from the Reds’ present stance before they climb down further from their original figure.

All of this comes as PSG piece together a wider reshaping of their forward line. Ferran Torres has a deal in place to arrive from Barcelona and is being earmarked as the successor to Goncalo Ramos. Maghnes Akliouche has already come in to cover the departure of Lee Kang-In. Godts, in that plan, is the one specifically marked down to occupy Barcola’s role.

That explains the urgency. PSG are pushing hard to get Godts over the line because, without him, Barcola stays.

If Ajax and PSG can close the gap and strike an agreement this weekend, the final barrier to Barcola’s move becomes brutally simple: how far Liverpool are willing to go.

For now, the chessboard is almost set. Godts is edging towards Paris, Barcola is waiting on Merseyside’s final move, and PSG are starting to bend on a valuation they once refused to touch. The next bid from Anfield will tell everyone just how badly Liverpool want their man.