Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for PSG forward Bradley Barcola during the summer after the winger dropped down the pecking order in Paris.
Barcola had been in superb form for Luis Enrique at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, but lost his place following the January arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
This led to rumours that the Frenchman could be on the move over the summer, and Liverpool were credited with an interest.
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Ultimately, there were claims that Liverpool did not want to block Rio Ngumoha’s pathway and resisted the temptation to move for Barcola as a result.
However, it has since emerged that Liverpool are seriously considering signing Antoine Semenyo during the January transfer window, suggesting a change in approach.
And while the Reds ponder whether to trigger Semenyo’s release clause, an update has now arrived on their interest in Barcola as well.
Bradley Barcola in action during PSG's UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich at Parc des Princes.
Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Liverpool made an approach to sign Bradley Barcola
Quick, clinical and a real threat from wide areas, Barcola looks like being everything the Liverpool front line is missing right now.
It seems that the Reds’ recruitment team thought so too, with French journalist Fabrice Hawkins confirming that a ‘very strong approach’ was made to sign the 23-year-old in the summer.
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“Bayern Munich and Liverpool made very strong approaches,” Hawkins told Le10Sport over the weekend. “He seriously considered it. The contract extension situation will need to be followed closely.”
Barcola’s contract currently runs until 2028, and according to Hawkins, the France international made PSG aware he was not particularly happy with the situation before the season started.
“The question was raised [about Barcola leaving]. It didn’t get much media attention because the club handled it well,” he said. “In terms of communication, it’s a masterclass. They managed to defuse something that could have caused more of a stir.
“Barcola asked himself some real questions. He was performing well, then they put Kvara in front of him and he became a starter. Then there’s the emergence of Doue. Little things like that frustrate a player.”
Barcola would be a far better addition than Antoine Semenyo
If Liverpool are considering splashing a big fee on Semenyo in the New Year, then there’s no reason Barcola should not be in the picture as well.
Should Liverpool sign Antoine Semenyo or Bradley Barcola?
Antoine Semenyo pictured in action during Bournemouth's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Dean Court.
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Bradley Barcola in action for PSG during the FIFA Club World Cup final against Chelsea
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Liverpool could spend £65m in far better ways than signing Semenyo, and one of them would be to go all in on Barcola.
Given his status as a non-essential player at PSG, there is a chance that he would cost a similar amount to extract from the Parc des Princes in the winter window.
The pathway would still end up being blocked for Ngumoha, but if you’re going to put a player in his way, then it may as well be the best one you can find.
Barcola has five goals from 11 Ligue 1 appearances this season, and Liverpool fans would be wise to keep track of his form ahead of January. The Reds may well come again.