Barcola to Liverpool Nears as Manchester City Rebuild Defines Final Week of Transfer Window
With one week left in the transfer window, Athletic FC’s latest discussion centred on two themes gathering serious momentum, Manchester City’s midfield rebuild and Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola. The conversation, featuring reporting from The Athletic, painted a picture of a market entering its most volatile phase, with multiple Premier League clubs still trying to complete major business before the deadline.
On Manchester City, the scale of change remains the dominant talking point. Their summer has already brought significant spending, and the reshaping of midfield has become the clearest marker of Enzo Maresca’s early months in charge. As was put succinctly, “it’s been a mad summer for Manchester City.” That assessment framed a wider explanation of how City’s plans have evolved, particularly after Rodri’s departure triggered further movement.
The discussion made clear that midfield has been the central focus for City for some time. Elliot Anderson’s earlier arrival was referenced as part of that pattern, before attention shifted to Aya Bouaddi and the size of the deal required. According to the reporting shared, Rodri’s exit effectively opened the door for that move, with City responding to a major loss in leadership and quality by targeting elite potential. There was also an emphasis on further turnover, with Tijjani Reijnders heading to Al Qadsiah and Nico Gonzalez the subject of talks with Newcastle United, leaving City still needing more in that area before the window closes.
🚨@David_Ornstein on Barcola: I would give it 85-90% chance of happening. #LFC wouldn’t come this far to walk away from it. He’s not signing a new deal, he wants to go to #LFC, that his choice. I think a transaction will happen. So the % is very high for me. pic.twitter.com/0qhu7lALzP
Manchester City midfield rebuild still unfinished
The tone around Bouaddi was enthusiastic, but measured. His talent is not in question, nor is the fee attached to him. Yet the conversation stressed that replacing a figure of Rodri’s standing is an enormous ask for any young player. It was stated plainly, “I don’t think he’s the new Rodri,” before the discussion broadened into the risks attached to major spending on a teenager arriving late in the window, without a full pre-season and into a physically demanding league.
City’s short-term solutions were also examined. Mark Guehi starting in midfield against Bournemouth prompted questions externally, but the explanation offered was practical rather than political. The view given was, “it felt more functional than operational to me,” with City simply lacking enough settled options in the building. There was no suggestion that Maresca was sending a message to the hierarchy. The stronger point was that the club know further reinforcements are required, and quickly.
That leads directly to Enzo Fernandez, whose situation remains one of the biggest live issues of the final week. The wording on City’s interest was strong and left the door open to a record-breaking conclusion. “I think there’s a very good chance still that Enzo Fernandez ends up at Manchester City because their interest and that of Enzo Maresca, the head coach at Man City, is strong.” There was an added prediction too, on the possibility of another record fee, “I’m going to say yes.”
As ever in these situations, the caveat was that Chelsea would need terms that strengthen their own position. Yet the broad message was unmistakable, City remain active, ambitious and unfinished.
Barcola transfer gives Liverpool major late-window focus
For Liverpool, the priority term in the discussion was Barcola. Asked directly about the chances of the move happening, the answer was emphatic. “I would give that like a 85 90% chance. I think that’s going to happen.” That was followed by an even firmer line, “I really do. I don’t think Liverpool would have come this far to to walk away from it.”
The reasoning laid out around Liverpool’s pursuit was specific. Paris Saint-Germain have strengthened in attacking areas, Barcola has two years left on his contract, and, crucially, “He wants to go to Liverpool. That’s his choice.” On that basis, the expectation shared was clear, “I think a transaction will happen.”
Barcola was discussed as part of a wider moving picture around Liverpool’s wing options. Cody Gakpo was mentioned as a player attracting attention, including from Manchester City, while Tottenham were described as particularly advanced in their own thinking around him. At the same time, Liverpool’s push on the right wing was referenced through bids for Yankuba Minteh, showing that the club’s work is running across multiple tracks. Still, within that whole section, Barcola remained the most advanced and decisive storyline.
There was also a broader view that Liverpool could be among the busiest teams before the deadline. The exact phrasing was, “Let’s go for Liverpool because they need a number of wingers like one or two that could you know elicit the departure as well.” In a market where clubs are balancing incoming deals with exits, that feels particularly relevant.
Final week of transfer window set for frantic finish
Beyond individual clubs, the strongest impression from the Athletic FC discussion was the expectation of a chaotic final stretch. Financial regulations, squad cost pressures and the need to trade are all pushing clubs towards late decisions. The description of the week ahead was stark, “it’s going to be frenzied and frantic.”
There was also a striking reflection on the number of live situations currently being worked on across the game. “It feels like there’s never been more sort of conversations, negotiations, talks, possibilities being explored.” That helps explain why so many of the biggest stories still feel unresolved. Clubs are weighing permanent deals, loans, options, obligations and contingency plans all at once.
From City’s midfield rebuild to Liverpool’s strong push for Barcola, the market is heading towards a decisive finish. The most advanced signal in the discussion concerns Liverpool’s move, and on the evidence presented, Barcola now looks one of the defining transfers of the closing days. If that goes through, and if City land another midfielder on top of Bouaddi, the final week may well shape the competitive picture of the season before September even begins.
Source: Athletic
