Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola has developed into one of the longest transfer stories of the summer.

The Reds began planning a major attacking rebuild well before the window opened, with Mohamed Salah’s departure leaving an enormous hole.

Víctor Muñoz arrived from Osasuna for around £34.5 million, but Liverpool have continued looking for more pace and creativity in wide areas.

Barcola gradually emerged as their leading target, despite the France international generally operating from the left for PSG.

Interest turned into meaningful contact earlier this month. Sky Sports reported that Liverpool had spoken to PSG and the player’s representatives, but the French champions’ valuation created a major obstacle.

PSG were understood to value Barcola at a massive £145 million, and that was significantly higher than Liverpool wanted to pay, even though the player was reportedly attracted by the prospect of moving to Anfield.

L’Equipe subsequently reported that Liverpool were preparing a package worth about £98 million. That approach was never expected to satisfy PSG, but it moved the negotiations beyond initial enquiries and demonstrated that the Reds were serious.

Barcola’s situation in Paris has added further intrigue.

The 23-year-old's contract expires in just under two years, putting PSG under some pressure to either sell for a big fee now or extend his deal, and he was then omitted from three consecutive matchday squads.

Liverpool have explored other options during the stalemate.

Brighton rejected bids of £50 million and £60 million for Yankuba Minteh. However, their interest in the Gambian has not brought the Barcola discussions to an end.

There has now been a potentially significant update from talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

Crook reports that Liverpool remain in direct talks with PSG. More importantly, his information from contacts in France indicates that Barcola joining the Reds before the deadline is now considered likelier to happen than fail.

That represents a major change from the position earlier this month, when the financial distance between the clubs made an agreement appear extremely difficult.

Crook also reports that Tottenham are continuing to push for Cody Gakpo, while Man City are unlikely to sign the Netherlands international at this stage.

The two situations could be connected.

Liverpool would be taking an unnecessary risk by allowing Gakpo to leave without first securing another elite winger, and Barcola’s arrival would provide greater freedom to consider Tottenham’s approach.

Barcola would give Andoni Iraola an explosive ball carrier who can stretch defences, attack the space behind a full-back and move across the forward line.

He would not directly replace everything Salah provided, particularly from the right, but he would give Liverpool a new world-class attacking focal point for years to come.