The Truth About Barcola to Liverpool + Argentina Reaction to World Cup Final
Olivia Buzaglo and Ben Jacobs are live with the latest edition of Market Madness, bringing you breaking transfer news, expert insight and all the biggest talking points from across football. Liverpool correspondent for The Athletic, James Pearce, joins live from the USA as the Reds start their pre-season tour. He shares the latest on Andoni Iraola’s transfer priorities, Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola, and whether there’s real value in the market this summer. Ben then dives into his weekly mailbag, answering your questions on the biggest transfer stories, including: Manchester United’s reported interest in Warren Zaïre-Emery Tottenham’s striker search and the latest on Bergvall, Asllani and Tresoldi John Stones’ situation amid links to Arsenal and Chelsea Arsenal’s renewed interest in Nico Williams The future of Yan Diomande, with Premier League clubs circling We also hear from South American football expert Tim Vickery, who gives the reaction from Argentina following their World Cup campaign and offers insight into how the tournament has been received back home. Chapter: 0:15 Did the Expanded 48-Team World Cup Actually Work? 8:47 Harry Kane’s Bayern Contract and Major Transfer Updates 14:57 Liverpool’s New Era Under Andoni Iraola 18:22 The Truth About Barcola to Liverpool 21:33 Could New Investors Buy a Stake in Liverpool? 30:04 Man Utd, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal Transfer Latest 44:31 How Argentina Reacted to Losing the World Cup Final 56:38 Benzema, James Trafford and Berhalter Breaking News You can get in touch with us too. Streaming on YouTube, Facebook, and X – or catch up anytime on your favourite podcast platform. You can watch the show live on… YouTube: / givemesport Facebook: / givemesport X: @Givemesport Listen back later on your podcast app of choice… Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h6IrtpKRvgXiOc3N1FBQn Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/market-madness/id1788539447
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[music] [music] Hello and welcome to Market Madness, the podcast from Give Me Sport, where every day is like deadline day. Now that the World Cup is out of the way, I can't believe it's out the way, by the way. That six weeks went so quickly. Um, but it is time for the main event of the summer, which is of course the transfer window. I'm Olivia Bazaglo and with me today is Give Me Sports Senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs bringing us the latest breaking transfer news. Ben, we're live so don't swear. [laughter] >> Can I just say something first of all, and I know I'm guilty because of what's behind me, but England got knocked out to Argentina, and you appear to be an Argentina fan. >> No. No. >> What [laughter] is this? Right. Okay. I need to let me clarify. Let let me let me give some context. Um so I am the biggest Leon Massie fan you will ever meet in your life. Um and up until listen I wanted to go and watch him at his last World Cup. That was something I wanted to do. Um and I I was there for the goal that made him the highest goal scorer in World Cup history which I was so like couldn't believe I was there for. You know, one of those moments that you were there. Um, and then everything changed after the Argentina England game and I then didn't want because I always said like if England go out I want Messi to win the World Cup. That was my thoughts back in 2022. That was not my thoughts this this year. And >> even though I'm giarian, so giarian Spanish, they don't get on. I had to put that aside for one game because there was no way I wanted that Argentina side to win the World Cup >> after what happened >> against the World Cup final that photo. >> No, no, no, no. >> That is what game was this? >> That was that was uh Argentina Austria. So there I don't know if it was their second or second group game. I think it was their second group game after he scored the hat-tick and he was level and then it was like he needed one goal to become the World Cup's all-time record goal scorer which Killian Mbappe has then equaled. So that's great. Um but I was there for that moment so it's really special. But anyway, should we get on with the show then [laughter] quite enjoying stitching you up. >> Thanks. I'm really enjoying it myself. Um right today we're also joined by Liverpool correspondent for the Athletic James Pierce. He'll be live from the USA where Liverpool are on tour. And we'll also hear from Tim Vickery, our South American football expert, to hear how Argentina's World Cup campaign has gone down back at home. So much to look forward to, so much on today's show. This is Market Madness from Give Me Sport. [music] Before we get into James, who'll be here in just a few minutes, Ben, how was your World Cup? because I feel like I haven't been here for so long. I got home a couple of days ago. I'm all disorientated. I don't really know what's going on. I don't know what day it is. Um, but did you have a lovely World Cup? Because obviously you were out there for a long time as well. >> Yeah. So, I was basically LA based following the US men's national team and the reason why I can't be that cruel is because I've got Messi behind me and I was wearing a US top as well for some of the shooting that we did. So, I have also changed my allegiance a little bit and honestly it was fantastic. Of course, in the buildup to the tournament, we rightly put scrutiny on politics meeting football and the sheer geography, carbon footprint of the tournament, inflated ticket prices, but in a football sense, I loved it. There's like two perspectives. One covering it, just unbelievable to be with a host nation, and then there's this kind of analysis over did the expanded format work and when you look at a story like Kate Verde, yes, maybe a little bit less jeopardy and that final round of the group stage. If I could change one thing, I would say don't make the first differential when people are tied headto head. Make it all difference. And then when you have that table of potential best place finishers that qualify who were in third, you can suddenly make it a bit of a shootout. So I was at like USA Turkey and it meant nothing because USA had won the group and Turkey were through. If it was goal difference, maybe a different story. And then on a personal note, I just love being able to have a bit of fun. I was in Seattle. I went to the first ever Starbucks. I caught a fish in fish pipe market where it gets chucked to you from about 30 feet. I did a hot dog eating contest on the 4th of July. And then on a more serious note, I broke a story that I was really proud of that the US President Donald Trump had called the FIFA president Jeani Infantino to get him to review the Flo Balagan red card which ended up being suspended and that became a big story as well. Yeah, that was a huge story of of this World Cup. And to be fair, I think Flo Balagan, there was a trend going around on TikTok. I don't know if you saw it and and he sat down and it was like him preparing for a documentary on on why his red card was was suspended. I felt a bit sorry for him because obviously he had no he had no say. It was out of his control completely and obviously he was one of if not probably the best US men's national team player from this World Cup. I thought he played really really well. Um so yeah, I felt a little bit sorry for him. What was your best moment do you think if you had to pick one one moment from this whole World Cup? What did you enjoy the most? >> I mean Kate Verde for me the nil nil draw against Spain but also even though they went out the just unbelievable game against Argentina and we saw one the goals of the tournament and it was scored by Kate Verde. >> That was my favorite. That was my goal of the tournament. It was just oh >> insane. And the fact that >> they equalized twice in that game and nearly took Leo Messi and Argentina to penalties. I don't care what anyone says about Argentina battling all tournament not being at their best. The quality showed as we saw against Egypt as we saw against England and people thought from day one that the overriding thing from this expanded World Cup would be about a mismatch. And we only really saw one absolute crazy mismatch. And then ironically that was Germany scoring for fun against Kurac and everyone goes, "Okay, this is going to be a group stage where all the big teams go through and then you get the round of 32 and Paraguay beat Germany on penalties." So Johnny and Fantino will look at all of that and say there's way more overwhelming evidence for an expanded World Cup working and giving opportunities to some underdogs and teams that are not always there. So that was my high and my low unfortunately was Scotland not going that far. And I know I'm an Englishman, but some of you may know I also have a place up in Edinburgh. So, I really wanted Scotland to do something and to see them in a knockout stage of a World Cup and unfortunately that didn't happen. >> Uh, yeah, I can't say I can't. I wasn't too bothered about that. Then, [laughter] >> where the England live? >> Um, yeah. So, my favorite moment was the England Mexico game. I was in Mexico City. The Aztec, the best stadium I've ever been to. I've never experienced noise like that in my entire life. I think the the fact it's so steep like makes it and it's so packed and like honestly the noise coming from it was nothing like I've ever experienced. And um obviously the game was one of the worst games I've ever had to watch. I honestly the last 10 minutes I was sat there staring at my phone. I couldn't even watch the game in front of me. I was so nervous. Um but I loved that. That was my favorite moment. A little bit disappointed with how obviously it ended. I still think there are question marks about the last 20 minutes of that performance against Argentina. I hope that Thomas Tukul, he said he has no regrets. I hope that he maybe looks back and maybe does have a few regrets um or maybe learns from his mistakes going forward. Um but yeah, overall I'm glad that the FA have kept him on. I'm excited to see this England team go again at Euro um 2028. Um, and also I just want to say I do back the 48 uh the 48 man 48 team world cup because I was at that Germany Curissau game and I don't I know obviously it ended 7-1 and we obviously that was the only game where it did end with a bit of a ridiculous score line but the moment that Curissau had when they got that equalizer was so special and I was just like even like the Germany fans in in the crowd were applauding and I just thought that moment you don't get I think maybe Kate Birdie they were they were brilliant. They might have even qualified if it was just a 32 team World Cup. Um, but I I I don't think I want to go and see it go any further than 48. I think 48 should be the limit. But I was I was very pleasantly surprised by by what we saw from that World Cup. Um, >> before we get into anything else, Ben, I think you have a bit of breaking news for us. in the questions by the way flat flash up on Zabani and also Bruno Gimme will come to that in just a moment but a few bits of breaking news for you. The first is an exclusive on the GMS network that is live now via our website and that is Harry Kane is expected to sign a new deal at Bayern Munich and talks are back underway now to attempt to finalize that one ahead of the new season. And there's no real urgency because from Bayern's perspective, they've kind of known since January that this is the direction of travel. And myself and Sam Cohen have written an article. So go to the GMS website for all of the details. But the long and short of it is that Kane had a release clause that was active in January, 65 million euros, but for the summer. In other words, if somebody wanted to trigger that, they had to go to Bayern and Kain in January and Kane had to go to Bayern and say, "I want to leave in the summer." And then he could have been got for 65 million euros. That clause expired and Kane is expected to stay and as he builds up to this home euros, the feeling is that he'll be a buyin player and then reassess. Now, Barcelona made an inquiry probably about 3 weeks ago and they were told the same thing. Alhilal, as we revealed on GMS, have also made a recent active inquiry. And this is not the first time. In summer 2023 and summer 2025 as well, there were talks between Alhill and Kaine. And Kane said he didn't want to go to Saudi ahead of the 2026 World Cup. And my understanding now is that Kane's position is the same. Al-Hilal have held recent talks in terms of time scale in the last few days and weeks and Kane has again said that he is leaning towards in fact far more than that he is heading towards extending at Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, and somewhat linked to all of this, Alhilal are looking for a new striker because it is tense at the moment between Alhilal and Karen Benzema. Al-Hilal have angered Benzema by suggesting that they take him off the domestic registration and use him only for the Asian Champions League. And Benzema is not prepared to entertain that scenario because he'd be playing a whole lot less games. And as a consequence, there is a chance at least that Benzema leaves Al-Hilal, but club and player have got to get on the same page. And then also keep an eye on Darwin Nunees who's an Al-Hilal player. He is of interest to Atlanta United. And the expectation is that Nunes leaves. It might be a contract termination or it might be some form of departure. and Atlanta United are open to that possibility that maybe Nunes and Alhill terminate their contract and then it opens the door to sign the player on a free transfer. And as I exclusively revealed only a few hours ago, Atlanta United are also in talks with the Swiss international Briel Embulo and there is a chance that he also joins Atlanta United but my understanding is it will be one or the other. So, Nunes or Brimbulo, but not both players. >> Thank you very much for that, Ben. I just want to go back on the first bit when you you brought us that Harry Kane is potentially going to be signing a new contract to Bayern Munich. Um, what did you make of his of his World Cup for England? Was he what you expected to be? Was he a little bit disappointing? What do you think? I mean, not disappointing in the sense that he and Jude Bellingham were match winners for England, but come Argentina, they policed him really well. So, I understand why people are saying Kane didn't have an impact against Argentina, but some of that for me was just down to England's tactics. And you don't expect Kane in a game of that magnitude to necessarily be getting hundreds of touches. And once England got one nil up, you can't really fault Kane. It was more for me Thomas 2 called pushing England so deep. There's so many ways that we can defend. And I know it's really easy, isn't it, to say in hindsight that England should have done this, England should have done that. But it just felt like we were dropping deeper and deeper and deeper. And as a consequence, once Argentina got an inevitable looking equalizer, they were always going to go on and win the game. Whereas had we kept our wide players on the pitch and used transition more effectively and defended from the front, maybe Kane would have got service and could have killed off the game. So unfortunate because tactically we made a wrong call. Hindsight's a wonderful thing, but over the course of the tournament, Harry Kane was for me within the top 10, if not the top five players at the entire tournament. Rodri was above him. Messi was above him. Mbappe was above him. Elise was above him as well. And then players maybe that didn't go quite as far could have equaled Kane. Buaddi had a wonderful tournament. By the way, Pala Basy unbelievable. Except young player of the tournament. He's above Kane for me as well. But Harry Kane, but for me he was in the top 10 players at the tournament. >> Yeah, I have to agree. I think he was absolutely brilliant. He was a match winner for England so many times. We've seen it over the years and he does it again and again and again. The only thing I would say was that when he was basically played out of the game against Argentina, remember when we played against Eur um the Netherlands in the last Euro semi-final and Southgate bought Harry Kane off and put on Ollie Watkins and Ollie Watkins actually went on and scored the winner and I just thought maybe that was the time to bring Harry Kane off because he was so out of the game. But anyway, we can all sit here and say what we could have done better. But hopefully Harry Kane is in this England squad uh for the Euros in 2028 because if he's not, I think England are in huge trouble. [snorts] Anyway, let's move on, shall we? Uh before we get into our new guest, this is Market Madness from Give Me Sport. [music] The latest on the biggest transfer stories is coming up very soon. But first of all, we are joined live from the USA by James Pierce, the Liverpool correspondent for The Athletic and Part of their Walk-On podcast. Uh, James, first of all, um, how's Chicago? My producer tells me you're somewhat of a food connoisseur. How's [laughter] pizza? >> Reputation goes before me. Um, yeah, it's uh, yeah, Chicago is just a fantastic city, isn't it? I think anyone who's been here would have would have felt that. So, um, yeah, I think it was 12 years since Liverpool were last here. So, um, went to the went to the baseball at Wrigley Field last night. Saw the Cubs against, uh, Detroit. So, that was a a good experience. >> James, did you like baseball? Because I've been three times and I've hated it all three times. [laughter] Do >> you know what? I like the experience. And I also love the fact that even those who look like they love baseball aren't really watching the baseball. [laughter] in front of me just got through about six hot dogs, you know, a big box of chicken, uh, you know, a giant bag of like monkey nuts, some ice cream, about [laughter] 10. He wasn't really watching the baseball. And then the Cubs lost, but no one no one really seemed to care too because they play about 200 games a season, don't they? So, you get the chance to get your own back probably 12 hours later. >> Yeah, this is what I mean. It's a long old sport. I just want to see loads of home runs and you just don't get to see that in baseball. That in my head I was like, "Oh, it's going to be so good." And then it was just like nah. But anyway, uh let's get on to the football, shall we? Because obviously I suppose a new era we could call it under Andoni Areola and I mean I haven't been here throughout the summer, but when Areola got announced as a Liverpool boss, I thought it was an absolutely perfect match. Um personally, the way that he likes to play football with Bournemouth and the way that Jurgen Klopp played football with with Liverpool, I sort of just see like correlations and similarities. Um he has publicly admitted that Liverpool need players. Um what is the priority right now? >> I think the the glaring priority is replacing Muhammad Salah. That that still hasn't happened. Um you know there is a kind of a big vacancy on the right side of Liverpool's attack. I think when you look at the left side um they're pretty well stocked because of course they signed Victor Munoz from Oasuna earlier on in the window. Rio and Gamoa of course made a huge impression last season. Cody Gagpo was still around. Um, but then you look on the right hand side and obviously with Salah going, you're very thin because you've got Fedrico KZA that barely played last season and is still, you know, highly expected to move on. Um, and then you potentially you could use Friong further forward, but he's probably going to be needed to play at right back at times. So, so that's that's the kind of the glaring one, but then there are other areas as well because, you know, you look at, you know, the center back situation. They've obviously brought in Jeremy Jac from Ren. Um, but you know, you've also got a situation where Virgil van Djk has, you know, just turned 35. You've got Joe Gomez, you know, massively popular member of the squad, but he he has had a history of fitness issues, and you've got Leone coming back off an ACL injury. We don't really know, you know, just how quickly he'll get back and whether he can stay fit. Um, and then you think of the midfield area where Liverpool got bullied far too often last season. They're yet to strengthen in that area. and and right back like I said we know with Connor Bradley he's going to miss at least the first couple of months of the season and that was a problem area for Liverpool last season you know people will remember Dominic Boslife filling in at right back and nobody wants to see that again [laughter] um there's one player that I think is if anyone did actually manage to sign him Ben would be uh James sorry would be one of the signings of the of the summer and that's Bradley Barka um obviously he can play anywhere across a front three I suppose he could be a replacement for Muhammad Salah Um, could you give us any insight into Liverpool's pursuit of him? >> Yeah, he he's he's certainly one that features very very highly in their in their list of of targets. I think if if they were able to to to do that deal, then they they would do. I think um you know, I think there's just a lot of moving parts. I mean, not not least, you know, are are PSG definitely going to sanction his exit? And if so, at what price? Um, and if you know, of course, if he is going to leave PSG, Liverpool won't be the only only suitor. You know, I know there's been talk of strong interest from Arsenal and there there's others in the hunt as well. So, I I think if you know, Liverpool would know that that it's it's it's an expensive and difficult deal to do. Um, but it would also be a massively massively exciting one because I t