Barcola on the brink as Van Dijk gives his verdict

After weeks of negotiation, the wait is almost over. Bradley Barcola is due to undergo his medical after Liverpool agreed a £123million fee with Paris Saint-Germain, a deal that would make the winger the club's second most expensive signing in their history. If all goes to plan, an announcement could follow on Sunday, and the mood around Anfield is one of genuine excitement.

Virgil van Dijk has already had his say. The Liverpool captain spoke publicly on the imminent arrival following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, offering what amounts to an early welcome to the Frenchman. When your skipper is talking about an incoming signing before the ink is dry, you know the dressing room is ready for him.

Gakpo edging towards Etihad exit from Liverpool

The Barcola announcement would make even more sense when you consider what appears to be happening on the other side of the equation. Reports suggest Cody Gakpo is on the verge of joining Manchester City, with Enzo Maresca's side having moved quickly after entering the race only this past week, leapfrogging Tottenham in the process. The speed of City's move tells you everything about how seriously they wanted this one.

Gakpo actually played a part in Saturday's draw against Forest, which makes the timing a little bittersweet, but the picture is becoming clearer by the hour. Tottenham, for their part, appear to have quietly stepped back, with reports now linking them to Everton's Iliman Ndiaye in a deal that could involve Richarlison heading back to Goodison Park. Pursuing both Ndiaye and Gakpo would be near-impossible for Spurs, so their change of direction strongly suggests City have won that particular race.

The right-wing search continues with Sarr in the frame

With the left side seemingly sorted, Liverpool's more pressing headache remains the right wing. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that talks are ongoing between Liverpool, Crystal Palace and the representatives of Ismaila Sarr, with the Senegal international emerging as one of the leading candidates to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah's departure. An opening offer of around £50million was knocked back by Palace, and Liverpool are now navigating what Romano described as an active conversation with all parties involved.

On his YouTube channel, Romano said: "Liverpool maintain active contacts with the agents of Ismaila Sarr. They remain in conversations with all parties involved. Let's see if it's going to be Sarr or a new, surprising option in the final hours of the transfer window." That last line is worth noting, a surprise option in the final hours is very much still on the table, which suggests the Reds are keeping their options deliberately open rather than committing to one name alone.

There has also been brief speculation around PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye, who is reportedly close to joining Aston Villa in a £47million deal. At 18, he may not fit the experienced profile Liverpool are understood to be targeting, though the fact he has already featured for the reigning European champions hints at his ceiling.

Elliott's Anfield future hangs in the balance

While all the focus falls on arrivals, Harvey Elliott's future remains unresolved. Valencia continue to be the most credible destination for the 23-year-old, with Napoli and Lazio also reportedly monitoring the situation. Elliott is entering the final year of his contract, which complicates the picture for any club hoping to take him on loan, and his reported wages of £65,000 a week put him firmly out of reach for lower-division sides.

Blackburn Rovers have reportedly thrown their hat in the ring in a bid to reunite with Elliott, who spent time on loan at Ewood Park as a teenager. It is a sentimental notion, and not much more than that, the financial reality of the Championship makes the move almost impossible to structure. A return to Ewood Park would be a romantic story; it is just very difficult to see how the numbers could ever work.

Elsewhere, it has now been confirmed through his own agent that Yan Diomande turned down Liverpool's advances earlier this summer. Speaking to El Chiringuito TV, representative Nathan Campbell said: "He had offers from Liverpool and PSG, but he chose Real Madrid. He had no doubts. It was his dream." The 19-year-old completed a £100million move to the Bernabeu, and that quote, blunt as it is, closes that particular chapter.

With the window drawing to a close, Liverpool's business is nearly done, but nearly is doing a lot of work in that sentence right now.