Liverpool
Liverpool eye Bradley Barcola as Salah’s heir apparent
Liverpool reportedly have their eyes on PSG winger Bradley Barcola as a top summer target, according to The Times, as relayed by Liverpool Echo, with transfer insider Matteo Moretto confirming the interest. The Premier League defending champions are now considering their attacking options after Mohamed Salah is set to leave Anfield. Barcola, 23, first caught Liverpool’s attention last summer when he was considered as a possible alternative to Alexander Isak, but a deal never happened.
Now, the interest looks much more serious. Barcola is reportedly becoming Liverpool’s main alternative to Yan Diomande, and his future will largely depend on where Diomande goes this summer. The Frenchman recently changed his agent to Moussa Sissoko, a well-known figure in major transfers, which has only added to the rumours about a move.
Contract extension talks between Barcola and PSG have stalled, and Liverpool’s leadership, led by Richard Hughes, reportedly sees a real chance to strike a deal. They believe the growing tension between Barcola’s team and the PSG board could help drive down the price.
PSG are currently asking for a fee between €70m and €80m. Since joining PSG from Lyon in August 2023, Barcola has racked up 38 goals and 37 assists in 146 appearances, but he has started only 17 Ligue 1 games this season, with Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, and Désiré Doué all ahead of him in Luis Enrique’s plans.
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Would Barcola genuinely solve Liverpool’s right-wing problem, or are there better options out there?
Honestly, Barcola is a good signing, but maybe not a world-class one. His numbers at PSG are solid when he actually gets on the pitch, and his pace, directness, and ability to move in tight spaces make him a real threat. Those traits make him an ideal profile for the Reds. Plus, the chance to be a regular starter at Anfield, which PSG can’t guarantee, gives Liverpool a serious advantage.
That said, his tendency to go missing is a fair concern. Barcola drops out of games too often and can struggle when defenders force him onto his weaker foot. Barcola would provide a great spark from the wing and add a profile that Liverpool’s squad is missing right now, even if he doesn’t have the massive potential that Diomande offers.
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Diomande is four years younger and incredibly versatile, making him feel like the player with the bigger future. Still, Barcola has already shown he can perform in a top-five league, which isn’t something Diomande has fully proven yet. For Liverpool, he’s a safer bet for an immediate impact, and sometimes, playing it safe is the right move.