Liverpool are prepared to step away from negotiations for Bradley Barcola as they continue to struggle to strike a deal with Paris Saint-Germain, a situation that has put Arsenal on alert.
The Reds have still not found a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer last week, and the France winger has been identified as one of their leading targets.
Discussions between the two clubs have been going on for some time, but a breakthrough is not believed to be close. According to The Athletic, PSG have placed an asking price of around £145million on the player.
Liverpool are unwilling to meet that valuation, while PSG are also not prepared to soften their stance, even though Barcola himself is understood to be keen on the switch as he looks for more playing time.
With the talks moving towards a deadlock and deadline day now only three weeks away, Liverpool are reportedly ready to end negotiations and focus on other options as they try to strengthen Andoni Iraola’s thin squad.
One of the alternative names on their list is 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye, who is Barcola’s team-mate at PSG.
Liverpool’s willingness to consider other options could, however, put Arsenal on notice. The Gunners are still looking for a marquee signing after failing in their attempt to land Vinicius Junior, who turned down their interest and instead signed a new long-term contract with Real Madrid.
Arsenal are believed to be interested in the French winger despite already adding Christos Tzolis on the left side, and they are expected to keep a close watch on developments to see if Liverpool withdraw from talks, which would open the door for the Gunners to make their move.
Mikel Arteta has already indicated that more arrivals could follow this summer, saying: "Well, that's what we're trying to do.
"If we have the right player in the market to make us much better, we are very looking forward to that."
The Gunners also spent £75m last week to sign Bruno Guimaraes, though Arteta is now believed to be focusing on attacking reinforcements.
