Journalist: Liverpool ‘hopeful’ of making two ‘crucial additions’ before summer transfer deadline

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Liverpool ‘remain hopeful’ of signing at least one winger in the final few days of the summer transfer window, according to a prominent Reds journalist.The Merseyside giants have reportedly agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola but have yet to settle a fee with the European champions, who could want as much as £145m for the player after add-ons (CaughtOffside).Andoni Iraola’s side are also pursing a move for Yankuba Minteh, for whom Brighton have already rejected two bids, the most recent of which amounted to £60m (Sky Sports).Liverpool to step up the chase for Barcola and Minteh this weekIn an article for the Daily Mail published in the early hours of the morning, Lewis Steele provided an update on Liverpool’s pursuit of those two wingers, whilst also imploring them to sign a defensive midfielder after some familiar frailties were punished in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Sunday.He wrote: ‘Liverpool remain hopeful of signing Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola this week and are weighing up whether to make a third bid for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh. Those will be crucial additions, given the wide options are limited at present, but signing a deep-lying midfielder is just as important.‘They could have the best front three in the world, yet they will win no trophies if they are so vulnerable and exposed to the counterattack like they were here.’(Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)Steele concluded: ‘A winger or two would be great but a new holding midfielder should join the wide forwards at the top of that shopping list.’Want more Empire of the Kop coverage?

Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustA defensive midfield signing is a must for LiverpoolWe expect Richard Hughes to execute at least one more incoming transfer before the window shuts on Tuesday week, but it seems like utter carelessness from the Liverpool hierarchy to leave themselves needing to pull off multiple pieces of big business so late into the summer.That procrastination is akin to the student who starts to panic a couple of weeks out from a major exam for which they’ve barely studied and suddenly begins cramming in the hope that they’ll be ready in time.The dream scenario is that the Reds bring in both Barcola and Minteh, as well as a top-level defensive midfielder, but realistically it’s hard to envisage all three of those being ticked off with so little time left in the transfer window. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)We think Hughes will get a deal over the line for one of the wingers, but the ease with which Liverpool’s midfield was played through for both Newcastle goals yesterday has highlighted the need for a natural number 6 to cut off such simple breakaways.Someone like Adam Wharton would be perfect for that role, but with Crystal Palace highly unlikely to sell their star midfielder at this stage of the summer, there needs to be an elite alternative in mind at Anfield.Keep that phone battery charged up, Mr Hughes – you’re in for a very busy few days (or so we hope!).