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Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is among the leading alternatives Liverpool are considering should they miss out on top target Yan Diomande.
PSG are currently in negotiations with RB Leipzig over a deal for Diomande after the 19-year-old indicated his preference to join the French and European champions.
Diomande has been Liverpool’s primary target for the wide attacking role, but the Reds have been unwilling to meet Leipzig’s valuation.
The Bundesliga club are demanding significantly more than the £86million Liverpool were prepared to offer for the Ivory Coast international.
Liverpool’s reluctance to increase their bid appears to have handed PSG a clear advantage in the race for the highly-rated winger.
Luis Enrique’s side have already agreed personal terms with Diomande on a contract running until 2031, although talks between the two clubs remain ongoing.
PSG’s summer planning is being overseen by chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, sporting adviser Luis Campos and manager Luis Enrique, with the club targeting one or two marquee signings after winning a second consecutive Champions League and another Ligue 1 title last season.
The arrivals could be offset by several departures. Striker Goncalo Ramos is expected to join AC Milan in a deal worth around £63million, while midfielder Lee Kang-in and forward Randal Kolo Muani are also among the players who could leave this summer.
Liverpool have already strengthened their attacking options with the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna and are continuing to assess alternatives as they plan for life beyond Mohamed Salah.
Barcola has emerged as one of those options, with the France international’s future at PSG reportedly uncertain amid frustrations over his lack of involvement in some of the club’s biggest matches, including the Champions League final victory over Arsenal.
According to BBC Sport, however, PSG are keen to extend Barcola’s current contract despite the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future.
Barcola has two years remaining on his current contract at PSG.Arsenal have also been monitoring the France international’s situation, although their priority for the left-wing position currently appears to be Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
Bradley Barcola has further enhanced his reputation at this summer’s World Cup, scoring once for France as they progressed to the knockout stages.