Transfer talk around Liverpool moving for Bradley Barcola has stepped up following the news that Yan Diomande has chosen Paris Saint-Germain over the Reds.
With Diomande widely claimed to now favour a move to PSG ahead of Liverpool, the Reds’ attention is turning to other potential targets.
Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh, Cologne’s Said El Mala and Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo have all previously been named as alternatives, but the most high-profile link has been to Barcola.
Not long after the story broke of Diomande picking PSG, transfer reporters shared how Barcola was still an option for Liverpool.
3ER40Y1 Bradley BARCOLA of France celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I match between France and Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport)
Reporters Ben Jacobs and talkSPORT’s Alex Crook shared similar posts on X, the former saying: “Barcola is still high in Liverpool’s thinking.
“PSG have to date been against a sale, but that could change due to incomings and no breakthrough yet in contract talks.”
Crook added: “Barcola is a strong alternative for Liverpool to Diomande. Has always been high on their wish list. **Barcola pushing to leave PSG.**”
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano explained that **if both Diomande and Monaco attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche join PSG, “Barcola’s future could change in the case of a big proposal.**”
Speaking on YouTube, he expanded on that point:
“Paris Saint Germain are yet to give the green light to his exit for this summer, but in all my videos I told you many times there is movement around Bradley Barcola.
“I know in France, many sources say he is not leaving PSG. My information is that Barcola remains still open, so there is still a possibility for Barcola to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer…
“If Liverpool go strong, there is still a possibility to see movement around Bradley Barcola, especially with this Yan Diomande story (choosing PSG).”
This all appears to make sense; if PSG were to sign Diomande, it should free up fellow wide attacker Barcola to move on this summer.
He may also command a slightly lower fee than Diomande, despite having more experience playing at the top level.
Liverpool’s wingers will need to be versatile
3CR1MR0 Victor MUNOZ of CA Osasuna during the Spanish championship LaLiga football match between Real Betis and CA Osasuna on 28 September 2025 at Estadio La Cartuja in Sevilla, Spain
Liverpool do seem to be Barcola’s most likely destination, but there are other clubs in the conversation.
Arsenal have previously been said to be interested in Barcola, but the Mail‘s Craig Hope and Sky Sports‘ Dharmesh Steth were among those last week to report that the Gunners were instead “stepping up” their advances for Morgan Rogers.
Given his Premier League status and the fact he is homegrown, Rogers could cost considerably more than Barcola – not to mention he doesn’t play in quite the same position.
Liverpool need Barcola more than Arsenal and, you would think, are more inclined to pay the fee required. However, as we have seen in the past, the Reds will walk away if they don’t deem the player worth the price.
It is interesting that Barcola is being touted as the main Diomande alternative, with the Frenchman tending to play on the left, whereas Diomande has spent more time on the right.
Liverpool have already signed left-sided winger Victor Munoz, plus they have Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo on the books also.
If they were to add Barcola to their ranks, at least one of these players would need to either move on or play fairly regularly on the right.