Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique has declined to discuss speculation linking France winger Bradley Barcola with a potential summer move to Liverpool.
The 23-year-old is understood to be a target for new Reds boss Andoni Iraola as he looks to strengthen his squad at Anfield.
Having scored three goals for France at the World Cup, Barcola is back with PSG ahead of Wednesday’s Super Cup fixture against Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg.
Asked about the player’s future, Luis Enrique said: “I don’t know and I don’t want to speak about any player individually.
“Because it’s always dangerous when you are asking something positive or negative about a player. I stay focused on my team.”
Barcola only rejoined squad duties last Monday alongside PSG’s other French and Spanish international contingent following the World Cup, but he could still feature against Villa.
“We are going to train today,” added Luis Enrique. “We are tying to analyse everything and after that we are going to make our decision.
“It’s a surreal situation. The international players, French, Spanish, arrived on Monday. That’s just one week.
“But we prepared in the best way possible and we’re happy to play this game, because it means we won an important title, the Champions League. It’s very important for us and our club to win. But in terms of preparation, it’s not what it should have been.”
The French champions were also less than satisfied with their setup upon arriving in Salzburg after being allocated a dressing room at the Red Bull Arena that was too small, forcing Uefa to provide extra space.
PSG have collected nine trophies in the past two seasons under Luis Enrique, but the manager has no intention of stopping there as he aims to replicate Real Madrid by lifting a third successive Champions League title.
“We set out ambitious objectives and we continue to do so,” he said. “In this moment it’s a different scenario because everyone thinks we can win again. But we need to show our level on the pitch.
“If you look back in history it’s difficult to find a team that wins all the time – but that’s what we are striving for.”
Speaking in the foothills of the Northern Salzburg Alps, PSG captain Marquinhos revealed the head coach informed the squad three years ago that they had to climb Everest.
“It’s the philosophy of the club, the coach and the management,” said Marquinhos.
“Every day in training sessions our coach is looking to strive for the best. On day one he said we have Everest to climb and we keep going up and trying to improve and improve.”
