There is never a dull moment in a Liverpool transfer window and Wednesday has proved no different. From a winger giving his word to a new manager to a defender being firmly ruled out, there is plenty to chew over as Andoni Iraola prepares for his second pre-season fixture in charge.

Let's start with the headline. Bradley Barcola has reportedly told Andoni Iraola directly that he wants to join Liverpool. French publication L'Equipe claim the Paris Saint-Germain winger has given a verbal agreement to sign for the Reds, having previously turned down the chance to extend his contract at PSG. It is a significant development in what has quickly become the most talked-about transfer story of this Liverpool summer.

However, before anyone starts printing the shirt, there is an important caveat. No deal has been struck between Liverpool and PSG. Discussions are reportedly ongoing between the two clubs but no real progress has been made yet. Barcola wanting to come is one thing. Getting PSG to let him go at a price Liverpool are willing to pay is quite another. The verbal agreement is encouraging. The negotiation is what matters now.

Elsewhere, a door has been firmly closed on the Jarell Quansah front. According to BBC Sport, Liverpool have no intention of triggering their buyback clause to bring the defender back from Bayer Leverkusen this summer. That will raise a few eyebrows given the recent injury to Joe Gomez and the departure of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid, which has left the Reds looking a little short in central defence. But the club's position is clear. Quansah, who featured for England at this summer's World Cup, will not be returning to Anfield.

On a sadder note, former Liverpool defender Glenn Hysen has revealed he is battling Parkinson's disease. The Swedish centre-back, who made 72 league appearances for the Reds between 1989 and 1992 and was part of the side that won the Football League First Division title in the 1989-90 campaign, opened up about his diagnosis at the age of 66. Speaking publicly about his condition, Hysen said: "I take medication three-four times a day with tablets. It's not dangerous, but you have to treat it." A genuinely beloved figure at Anfield. The thoughts of everyone at Kop Insider are with him.

Back to transfer business and the picture in attack is growing increasingly complicated. Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, valued at around £60 million, has reportedly asked to leave the Decathlon Arena this summer with Liverpool among his suitors alongside Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. The 21-year-old Belgium international has impressed since joining Lille in 2024 and would represent a more affordable option than some of the other names being discussed. Whether Liverpool can get ahead of the competition for his signature remains to be seen.

The news on Monaco playmaker Maghnes Akliouche is less promising. The 24-year-old has reportedly indicated he would rather join PSG than make the move to Merseyside, with Luis Enrique's side already having had three bids rejected and preparing a fourth. When a player actively prefers to stay in Ligue 1 over coming to Anfield, you move on. Liverpool should not be in the business of convincing players they want to come.

As for Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, who had been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent months, that particular chapter appears to be closing too. The 22-year-old is reportedly on the verge of joining Nottingham Forest for a fee of around £34 million, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola. Liverpool had already moved on by securing Jeremy Jacquet's transfer, so this one should not sting.

On the subject of Bruno Guimaraes, Arsenal have reportedly increased their offer for the Newcastle captain to £70 million plus £5 million in add-ons. That still falls short of his supposed £80 million valuation. Liverpool have been linked with the Brazilian midfielder, though any pursuit looks unlikely at this stage given more pressing priorities elsewhere in the squad.

And speaking of squad priorities, club legend Robbie Fowler has not minced his words. With Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all having departed this summer, Fowler believes Liverpool cannot consider themselves genuine Premier League title contenders with the squad as it currently stands. Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet have arrived but Fowler's view is simple: more is needed.

Oh, and the Reds' pre-season preparations hit an unwanted snag when their flight from Chicago to New York was cancelled due to heavy thunderstorms. They were due to travel ahead of their match against Wrexham on Wednesday but ended up flying on matchday itself. Hardly ideal preparation for Iraola's second match in the dugout.

With Barcola's verbal commitment in the bag and negotiations with PSG reportedly under way, the real test now is whether Liverpool can turn words into a done deal before pre-season ends.