PSG Near Deal for Ajax Winger Mika Godts to Facilitate Barcola Transfer

Paris Saint-Germain are edging closer to a deal for Ajax winger Mika Godts, and the domino effect is clear: his arrival is designed to open the door for Bradley Barcola to walk out towards Liverpool.

PSG have told Liverpool they are prepared to soften their stance on Barcola’s price tag. The message from Paris is simple: the fee is negotiable, but only if Liverpool move well beyond their current position. The French champions want a serious push from Anfield before they sign off on one of the biggest outgoing transfers in their recent history.

At the same time, PSG have gone back in for Godts with an improved offer that now sits close to Ajax’s valuation. An agreement for the 21-year-old is expected to be within reach this weekend. Inside the club, Godts has been clearly marked as Barcola’s successor, the piece that must fall into place before the France international is allowed to leave.

This is not a new chase. PSG’s interest in Godts surfaced earlier in the month, and negotiations have since moved forward with super-agent Jorge Mendes playing a key role in steering talks. The proposed deal is set to land at around €50million, a significant outlay that PSG believe will give them the flexibility to finally approve Barcola’s exit after initially planting a £145m price on his head.

Barcola, for his part, has already done his side of the work. Personal terms with Liverpool are agreed, and his preference for a move to Anfield has been obvious throughout the saga. Arsenal have monitored the situation and held discussions of their own, but the 23-year-old has committed himself to Liverpool’s project, leaving the Merseyside club firmly at the front of the queue.

Only one problem remains: the fee.

Liverpool currently value a Barcola deal at around £100million. PSG sources, though, believe a compromise can be struck closer to £125million. That kind of figure would push Barcola into the record books as the most expensive British transfer of all time, eclipsing last summer’s headline move for Alexander Isak to Newcastle.

PSG have now made it clear there is genuine room to manoeuvre. The stance in Paris is no longer one of absolute rigidity. But they expect Liverpool to respond with a substantial increase on their opening valuation if this is to get done.

Behind the scenes, the French champions are putting the final touches to a wider attacking reshuffle. Ferran Torres already has an agreement in place to arrive from Barcelona as the man earmarked to replace Goncalo Ramos. Maghnes Akliouche has come in to cover the departure of Lee Kang-In. That leaves Godts as the specialist piece reserved to take over Barcola’s role on the flank.

This is why PSG are driving hard to close the Godts deal now. Once Ajax and PSG shake hands, the last real barrier to Barcola’s move will be the size of Liverpool’s bid.

For the moment, the chessboard is almost set: Godts is nearing Paris, Barcola is waiting for Liverpool, and PSG are loosening their grip on the fee. The next move belongs to Anfield.