Liverpool have struck a preliminary agreement with Paris Saint-Germain on a deal valued at more than £100 million (around $136 million) for Bradley Barcola.
The Reds have been engaged in negotiations with the UEFA Champions League holders for some time over a move for the France international, having identified him as their most high-profile attacking target this summer following Mohamed Salah's exit.
Considerable headway was made overnight on Wednesday, with discussions centering on a guaranteed fee of just over £100 million, with add-ons tied to individual and team performance potentially pushing the total outlay to around £120 million ($163.2 million).
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The finer details of the proposed deal are yet to be finalized, and the ECHO understands that further work remains before the transfer can be completed.
Nevertheless, there are now encouraging signs that the move is progressing in Liverpool's favor as Tuesday's deadline draws closer.
PSG had originally placed a €170 million (£145/$197.2 million) price tag on Barcola after it became apparent that the player, who has two years left on his contract at the Parc des Princes, would not commit to a new deal and was receptive to a switch to Anfield.
Liverpool, however, have made strides in bridging the gap between the two clubs' valuations, though the proposed transfer would still potentially see Barcola become the second-most expensive signing in the club's history, behind £125 million ($170 million) striker Alexander Isak.
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The Reds are looking to strengthen their attacking lineup further before the transfer window closes next week. They have been evaluating a potential move for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr after abandoning negotiations for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, with the Seagulls requesting close to £80 million ($108.8 million) for a player sidelined with injury until at least October.
Earlier in the summer, they had already secured Spain international winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5 million (around $47 million).
The finalization of a Barcola transfer could raise questions about Cody Gakpo's future at the club, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City monitoring the situation.
However, Gakpo was praised by new Reds manager Andoni Iraola and found the net in Sunday's 2-2 tie at Newcastle United during the opening Premier League weekend.
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