Liverpool pursue Barcola as City prepares for Rodri exit

Liverpool have stepped firmly into the summer’s high-end market, opening talks with Paris Saint-Germain over winger Bradley Barcola in what would be a statement move at Anfield.

Barcola has been identified as Andoni Iraola’s priority target, and Liverpool are ready to test PSG’s resolve with an offer of around £100m plus add-ons, according to Paul Joyce. The French champions have placed a huge price tag on the 21-year-old, and negotiations are expected to be tense, but the intent from Merseyside is clear: they want Barcola, and they are prepared to go big to get him.

City planning for life after Rodri

While Liverpool look to add, Manchester City are quietly preparing for the possibility of losing the heartbeat of their midfield.

Rodri, the metronome of Pep Guardiola’s side, is pushing for a move to Real Madrid. City are exploring replacements and have highlighted teenage midfielder Marc Bernal as a serious option, report Caught Offside.

Bernal is tied to a staggering €500m release clause, a figure that underlines how highly he is rated rather than what City would actually pay. Arsenal and Chelsea are also tracking the youngster, turning his situation into one of the more intriguing long plays of the window.

Grealish left in limbo

Jack Grealish, once the £100m face of City’s ambition, finds himself on the outside looking in.

The 30-year-old has been omitted from City’s pre-season tour, a brutal but unmistakable signal that the club are ready to move on. After spending last season on loan at Everton, City now want a permanent sale.

talkSPORT report that Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are prepared to put a lucrative contract in front of Grealish, a deal that would shift his career onto an entirely different financial plane.

The Premier League door has not closed, though. Everton are open to bringing him back on loan, a move that would reunite him with a club where he found minutes and responsibility last season, even if his future at the very top level remains uncertain.

Everton eye Delap rescue mission

Everton’s recruitment drive does not stop with Grealish.

The Toffees are ready to revive their interest in Liam Delap, who endured a miserable switch to Chelsea last summer and has been declared surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

Delap’s stock has dipped, but Everton see opportunity where others see risk. They want to give the forward a platform to rebuild his career, though Fulham are also in the hunt and could complicate any Goodison Park reunion.

Vlahovic waits on Barcelona

At the other end of the market, Dusan Vlahovic is one of the standout free agents of the summer and is biding his time.

The Serbian striker is yet to commit to a new club and, according to Marca, is holding out for Barcelona. The Catalan side view him as a back-up option to Julian Alvarez, which leaves Vlahovic in a delicate position: wait for Barça, or secure his future elsewhere.

He does not lack options. Besiktas have already placed a substantial offer on the table. For now, Vlahovic is gambling on the possibility that Barcelona call.

If they do, his patience will look like shrewd judgment. If they don’t, this could become one of the most expensive waits of the window.