PSG keep spending and that is good news for Liverpool

If you needed a sign that Bradley Barcola's time at Paris Saint-Germain is coming to an end, look no further than the Parc des Princes recruitment drive. PSG have now added Mika Godts from Ajax for £48m and Ferran Torres from Barcelona for £42m, both wingers, and that can only squeeze Barcola's path to regular football even tighter. Liverpool, who have been pushing hard for the 22-year-old, are now reported to be ready to make a formal bid next week, according to The Standard.

The sticking point has always been PSG's valuation. The £130m asking price is a significant obstacle, and that has not changed. But the logic of the situation is shifting. Luis Enrique was asked about potential departures ahead of Sunday's French Super Cup final against Lens and, whilst he stopped short of naming anyone, his words carried weight. "When a player doesn't want to come here, or doesn't have a smile on their face about being here, it is better to find another solution," he said. That is not the language of a manager clinging on to his squad. Barcola was included in the Super Cup squad, so nothing is done yet, but the direction of travel is becoming clearer.

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has connected the dots publicly. Speaking to Paddy Power, he said: "It does look like they'll be getting rid of Gakpo potentially to Spurs, so they need a top-quality winger to come in. Barcola is a player I really like..." Cody Gakpo's heavily-rumoured move to Tottenham has been a thread running through this whole saga, if that sale materialises, it does rather neatly fund and justify a serious push for a replacement of genuine top-level quality.

Araujo ready to go as Liverpool face Como double-header

Whilst the transfer wires buzz, there is actual football to watch today. Liverpool are facing Italian side Como in a behind-closed-doors double-header, with one match at the AXA Training Centre and a second at Anfield, all before the evening is out. New summer signing Victor Munoz has started the first fixture alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, with the first match comprising two 35-minute halves.

The bigger storyline surrounds the second match, where Ronald Araujo is expected to make his debut. The Uruguayan centre-back arrived from Barcelona on an initial one-year loan, with Liverpool holding an option to make the deal permanent for £47.1m at the end of that spell. If today goes smoothly, Araujo is also tipped to start the Premier League opener at St James' Park next Sunday, which gives Liverpool supporters plenty of reason to pay close attention to proceedings this afternoon.

Salah bows in Turkey, Scanlon signs long-term and a teenage Argentine on the radar

Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah made his debut for Trabzonspor on Saturday evening, coming off the bench in the 58th minute against Kasimpasa with the scores level at 1-1. He nearly teed up Paul Onuachu from a free-kick but the match ended all square. It is a strange feeling watching that name in a different context, but the Liverpool chapter is closed, nine remarkable years done.

Closer to home, Liverpool have secured the future of youngster Calum Scanlon, who has signed a new long-term contract at the club before heading out on loan to Cardiff City for the 2026/27 season. The 21-year-old left-back was part of Cardiff's League One promotion push last term and will now test himself in the Championship. "I'm grateful for the experience I've already had here and I can't wait to make new memories at the club," he said. "I'm ready to go, it's been a positive pre-season getting minutes. It was good for me. My body is ready for the season." Solid business, keep the kid developing, keep him tied down.

Finally, Sport Witness reports that Liverpool have earmarked 16-year-old Argentine midfielder Thiago Veron, who plays in the academy at Club Atletico Independiente. No negotiations are underway at this stage, the Reds are simply tracking his progress alongside a number of European scouts. One for the long game, but the name is worth filing away. With a week to go until the Premier League season kicks off, the business end of this transfer window is just getting started.