Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola might have hit its biggest stumbling block yet, with it looking like the Reds won’t land either him or Yan Diomande. Liverpool are in the market for attacking reinforcements following Mohamed Salah’s exit at the end of the season, while Hugo Ekitike is still recovering from a long-term injury.
The 20-time English champions fell behind the leading pack last season and just about secured Champions League football on the final day of the season. They had hoped to use that as a way of enticing a player like Diomande or Barcola to Anfield, but it doesn’t appear that’s going to be the case.
Diomande had emerged as the most likely candidate, but Liverpool’s transfer plans were rocked when news broke that the Ivorian had chosen Paris Saint-Germain instead. There had been a feeling that PSG landing Diomande would open the door for Barcola to leave the Ligue 1 outfit, but fresh reports suggest the back-to-back Champions League winners aren’t looking to sell and have set a huge price tag of around £115million to ward clubs off.
Arsenal have also been touted as potential suitors, but a move to the Premier League doesn’t look like it will be forthcoming as things stand. As such, Liverpool have been forced back to the drawing board in search of an alternative.
The Athletic are reporting Liverpool have a three-man shortlist of players they could target, with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh among them. Across the previous two Premier League campaigns, Minteh has registered 17 goal contributions and continues to impress with his performances.
Meanwhile, a slightly left-field option could be Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who is currently plying his trade with Lille in Ligue 1. The forward contributed to 13 goals last term, eight of which were goals and has been linked with Manchester United as well.
Meanwhile, Said El Mala is another option mentioned for the Merseysiders, with the German youth international having dazzled for FC Koln in the Bundesliga. At just 19 years old, Mala is certainly one for the future, but might not have the star power to make an immediate impact for the title hopefuls this season.
Liverpool’s players will return to pre-season training in July, as they prepare for a first season under Andoni Iraola. The former Bournemouth coach was ushered in following the sacking of Arne Slot earlier this summer.