Bradley Barcola has emerged as Liverpool's top target in the aftermath of Yan Diomande's decision to choose PSG
Bradley Barcola has emerged as Liverpool's top target in the aftermath of Yan Diomande's decision to choose PSG(Image: Getty Images)
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It was a dark night for Liverpool's World Cup contingent as four Reds crashed out of the competition on penalties.
The Netherlands failed to squeeze past a fearsome Morocco while Germany were humiliated at the hands of Paraguay, losing their first-ever penalty shoot-out at a World Cup.
Florian Wirtz had been substituted by the time the clocked ticked over to 120', having provided Germany's only real bright spark with a few clever, trademark passes and a whipped cross for Kai Havertz to level the game after half-time.
Incredibly, three of just four penalty shoot-out misses in Germany's entire World Cup history took place last night, with Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah failing to convert their spot-kicks.
The questionable decision to rule out Tah's thumping header in extra-time left Jurgen Klopp fuming in the Magenta TV studio. "If the goal is illegal," Klopp growled, "then Arsenal won't be English champions. They've scored 60% of their goals that way."
The iconic former Liverpool boss, who is still Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, has long been tipped to take the reins as Germany manager one day - and the clamour for change has become deafening overnight.
Asked in the studio if he would take over, Klopp said (in quotes carried by Bild): "I haven't thought about that yet. I've often been in that situation myself as a coach, where a big dream has been shattered.
"I understand that when people talk about the national coach, my name is mentioned. But it's not the right moment to talk about it, especially not with me."
Pressure is mounting on the incumbent, though. Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports) felt the writing was on the wall for Julian Nagelsmann.
"We have to see what will happen," Plettenberg said. "I can really imagine there will be a consequence for Julian Nagelsmann and in the end, if he will be sacked or if he will resign, then Klopp is the only alternative.
"I'm totally convinced he would be ready for the job."
Klopp might not be the only former Liverpool boss in line for a national job. Voetbal International journalist Martijn Krabbendam called for Arne Slot to replace Ronald Koeman after the former Everton manager appeared to hand Morocco the initiative by starting a back five for the first time since March 2024.
We're going to assume Krabbendam didn't watch Liverpool's quarter-final first leg in Paris last season, then.
Cody Gakpo made the brave decision to play the match despite the loss of his unborn child when his partner, Noa van der Bij, suffered a miscarriage - and broke down in tears after putting the Netherlands in front in the 72nd minute.
It's a cruel outcome for Gakpo, albeit in a week where football was not the most important thing for him and his partner. Along with Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Wirtz, he will now regroup with his Liverpool team-mates and new manager Andoni Iraola in time for the pre-season tour of the US.
Of course, at this time of year, it's never just managers who are on the move - it's players, too. And, as ever, we've got you covered - so stick around as we round up the latest gossip and rumours in the Reds transfer news column....
PSG adopt hard-line Bradley Barcola stance
Barcola is reported to have turned down negotiations over a new contract as he wants a more important role than PSG have been able to offer him
Barcola is reported to have turned down negotiations over a new contract as he wants a more important role than PSG have been able to offer him(Image: Getty Images)
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Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll probably be well aware that Liverpool look set to miss out on this summer's top transfer target to fill Mohamed Salah's old position on the right wing, Yan Diomande.
The Ivorian winger's preference was made clear when it was revealed on Sunday that he would like to join French and European champions Paris Saint-Germain this summer, if he does indeed leave his current club RB Leipzig.
Leipzig are not for turning, though, and have doubled down on their stance of wanting to hold onto Diomande for at least another season. The 19-year-old responded to this in a pre-match press conference ahead of Ivory Coast's round of 32 clash with Norway tonight, telling the watching media: "I expect to leave."
In the less than 48 hours since this sizeable blow to Liverpool's plans, one name has emerged as the next on the shopping list after Diomande: PSG's own Bradley Barcola.
The received wisdom was that if the Parisians got Diomande over the line, Barcola would likely become available, given his reluctance to sign a new deal and desire for more game time in the most important games.
However, an update from David Ornstein in The Athletic this morning suggests a deal might not be quite that simple to get done. Even though Barcola's contract expires in two years with the player still refusing to negotiate, PSG "do not need to sell" him - owing to funds generated by the €74m (£64m) sale of Goncalo Ramos to Milan.
"PSG feel the speculated market rate for Barcola, who is not for sale, is way off and he should be valued at a much higher price than the £116m Manchester City will pay for Elliot Anderson," Ornstein wrote in the Transfer DealSheet.
Liverpool have shown their hand with their €100m (£87m) bid for Diomande and, as Ornstein pointed out, clubs will use the colossal fee for Anderson as a precedent.
That could present a real problem for the Reds, who need to strengthen in multiple positions this summer. According to Ornstein's colleague Gregg Evans, Liverpool are "halfway there" in their quest to find "a couple of wide players", having already wrapped up a deal for Victor Munoz.
More affordable options "under consideration" at Liverpool include Yankuba Minteh at Brighton, Said El Mala of FC Koln and Matias Fernandez-Pardo, the Lille forward.
Brentford already had a £43m offer for El Mala accepted earlier in the summer, but the deal fell through on the player's end. Minteh and Fernandez-Pardo could be available for fees in the region of £60m.
Bizarre reason could scupperaid Said El Malamove it
Said El Mala is represented by his family but their transfer demands could prove to be impossible for English sides to meet
Said El Mala is represented by his family but their transfer demands could prove to be impossible for English sides to meet(Image: Getty Images)
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El Mala looks like the most achievable option in terms of a fee while arguably offering the most in terms of potential. The 19-year-old German attacker scored 13 goals from just 20 starts in the Bundesliga last season, despite averaging just 58 minutes per appearance in the process.
Sky Sports Germany's Marlon Irlbacher provided a positive update on his availability on Monday evening, claiming that El Mala is "still aiming for a move this summer, even though things are currently a bit quiet on the market."
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One bizarre factor could be limiting El Mala's options, though. Sky Sports reported on June 4 that El Mala's Brentford move was stalling "in part due to his family's request that the Premier League club also sign his brother."
Malek El Mala, Said's older brother, is a striker for FC Koln and the pair have moved together every time they have changed clubs since 2017.
It's a surreal situation. Said and Malek, 21, have moved together from Linner SV to Monchengladbach, from Monchengladbach to TSV Meerbusch, from TSV Meerbusch to Viktoria Koln, from Viktoria Koln to FC Koln, and then back on loan to Viktoria Koln again before both re-joining the FC Koln fold afterwards.
The El Mala family represent both players, with neither signed to a professional agency. Malek, to make matters worse, has never played a minute above the third tier of German football and would therefore be unlikely to secure a work permit in the post-Brexit landscape of English football.
The Sky report continued: "Although El Mala is believed to be open to signing for Brentford, there is also believed to be uncertainty about whether 21-year-old Malek would qualify for a work permit.
"Brighton have also shown interest in El Mala and there are believed to be other clubs too, but the complications around the family, who represent both players, mean both currently look unlikely to move to the Premier League."
If Said is set on a move this summer, and his family's position remains that both siblings move together, then a move to England looks impossible.
Lille 'ready to sell' Ayyoub Bouaddi
Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed for GiveMeSport that 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is "set to be sold this summer" with Liverpool among the clubs ready to take advantage.
The French-born Moroccan international was catapulted into the global consciousness with his dominant performance against Brazil in his country's first game of the 2026 World Cup, and Jacobs reports that a whole host of clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Man United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are all interested in securing his signature.
Bouaddi's Morocco progressed to the round of 16 at the expense of Liverpool's Netherlands trio Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk on Tuesday
Bouaddi's Morocco progressed to the round of 16 at the expense of Liverpool's Netherlands trio Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk on Tuesday(Image: Getty Images)
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With that kind of competition, Lille are expecting bids to come in after the World Cup. As such, they've set the starting price high. Jacobs reports that a deal would cost a minimum of €80m - and that wouldn't even be enough to see Bouaddi join immediately.
"Lille are aware he will be difficult to keep hold of," Jacobs writes, "but are hoping to strike a deal seeing the teenager stay for one more year" - on an immediate loan-back agreement, or a pre-arranged transfer of the ilk that saw Naby Keita or Giorgi Mamardashvili delay their Liverpool arrivals.
Dealing in this way for a senior player is one thing, but for a young prospect this would represent an incredibly risky approach. It could make Liverpool stop and think twice - especially as Lille reportedly want a whopping €100m to do the deal now.
City are named as "one of Bouaddi's most active suitors", and this was backed up by an update on the Citizens' transfer plans in The Athletic by Sam Lee indicating they would be open to loaning the youngster back to Lille for a season.
Intriguingly, the report states that City view Bouaddi as a possible option at right-back. Lee writes: "One of the reasons Bouaddi has been thought of as a potential right-back is because City's search for a new player in that position has not been easy.
"They are big admirers of Chelsea's Malo Gusto but Chelsea value him at £75million, which is considered prohibitively high. Unless there is a major change in that regard, City will have to look elsewhere, but there are not too many other options that appeal."
First things first: £75m? For Malo Gusto? The game, as a wise man once said, has gone.
Second thing: this could go a long way to explaining Liverpool's interest. Consistent reports, including the same piece in The Athletic, have claimed Liverpool are considering signing a right-back this summer to alleviate the gaping wound the position proved to be last season, but updates on who exactly might fit that bill have been about as forthcoming as explanations for Nigel Farage's mega-donations from cryptocurrency tycoons.
In other words, there haven't been any.
Liverpool set price for Jones amid Forest interest
Curtis Jones looks increasingly set to bid farewell to his boyhood club this summer, with Liverpool seemingly prepared to cash in on the 25-year-old Scouser with just a year left on his current contract.
The latest club to be linked with Jones is Nottingham Forest, who Ben Jacobs confirmed on X (Twitter) today have a genuine interest in him as they look for reinforcements after the sale of Elliot Anderson to Man City.
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Encouragingly for those who would rather see Jones stay - this writer included - Jacobs did include the caveat that "it is unclear" whether Forest will be prepared to meet Liverpool's £40m asking price and could consider Lucas Bergvall instead.
That's astonishing, if true. Forest are flush with cash after their record sale and £40m for Jones is a snip, even if he is in the final year of his contract.
Inter also turned their noses up at Liverpool's valuation after coming in with a bid earlier this month that was well below what the Reds were looking for.
Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio provided a candid comment to Italian media, including Tuttomercatoweb, regarding his club's approach for Jones on Monday.
"I've never denied the interest in this boy - we tried in January, too - but likewise I have to be honest: we like him, he's a player who definitely has the characteristics that could potentially bring something extra to our midfield, which is already really strong, but right now there's a significant gap between our assessments and Liverpool's," Ausilio said.
"Since he's a Liverpool player, they have every right to ask for what they're legitimately requesting, but we have every right to decide whether we're happy with it or not, so right now I'd say it's a very difficult move."
Inter could now turn their attention to Roma's Niccolo Pisilli, according to Calciomercato, a cheaper, younger option and one who has already played for the Italian national team.
Jacobs did suggest there's a route back for Jones at Liverpool, though. "Liverpool are content to keep hold of Jones if their asking price is not met," he wrote.
"Jones is heading into the final year of his contract but should he remain beyond this summer, talks over a new contract are not ruled out."
It would at least be nice to see Jones take part in pre-season under new boss Iraola before making a final decision about where he wants to play his football going forward, as he undeniably offers qualities Liverpool's other midfielders don't.
Other reports today
A sensational pair of reports from Turkey have claimed that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is on the verge of joining Galatasaray - but they can't quite seem to decide where the deal's up to. Fotomac's headline screams "Van Dijk is very close", but goes on to say that the club has held "preliminary talks with the Dutch player's agent". Contact, reportedly, has been "positive." Yet just three days earlier, Fanatik's bold headline confidently shouted "A world star is coming to the Super Lig!", only to detail that Van Dijk has "begun gathering information about Galatasaray" from former players. I considered putting this straight in the nonsense section, but the Turkish Super Lig is growing in terms of attractiveness for older players looking for one last big payout while still having the opportunity to compete in Europe. Just don't expect to see Van Dijk leave this summer, and there's no guarantee a new deal won't be on the horizon if he can maintain his consistency over the next year.
Van Dijk endured a disappointing year at club and international level but is still capable of performing at the highest level
Van Dijk endured a disappointing year at club and international level but is still capable of performing at the highest level(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
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Continuing the global theme of this section today, Japanese outlet Nikkan Sports has claimed that Liverpool are interested in Japanese "duel monster" Kaishu Sano, who scored from range against Alisson yesterday as Japan were knocked out of the World Cup by Brazil. Sano, who plies his trade for Mainz, is a 25-year-old combative midfielder who played every minute in the Bundesliga last season. Nikkan praise his "abundant stamina, his characteristic 'recovery ability' and strength in one-on-one situations." He's certainly in the right age bracket and his physical durability ticks an important box, too. Nikkan's sources claim "a big offer" may be on the horizon. Best to wait until more established sources pick this one up before getting too excited, but Sano could be one to watch.
Wolves youngster Mateus Mane, who turned plenty of heads in his breakout season in the Premier League last year, has attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt, according to Fussballdaten. Other than that, nothing much else has changed on this story: Liverpool are still claimed to be tracking him along with Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle Unitede, with Wolves said to be keen to keep him in the Championship but open to hearing offers in the region of £30-35m.
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Nottingham Forest are in "advanced talks" to give Neco Williams a new contract, according to Fabrizio Romano, amidst Premier League interest. Williams has established himself as a quality full-back since leaving Liverpool and some supporters would have been keen to see him return to Anfield. That appears to now be out of the question, if it was ever a possibility.
And another player who Liverpool could struggle to sign this summer is Andoni Iraola favourite Alex Scott, the defensive midfielder for Bournemouth. The Athletic report that Bournemouth "have no intention of selling" him "during this window" - that qualifier potentially being important later - despite interest from Manchester United, who see him as an alternative to West Ham Unitedm's Mateus Fernandes. Man United have also looked at Felix Nmecha, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder also mentioned in Liverpool gossip columns, who is said to be "keen on moving to the Premier League".
Nonsense of the day
New Man City boss Enzo Maresca is not a popular man in the blue part of West London
New Man City boss Enzo Maresca is not a popular man in the blue part of West London (Image: PA)
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Chelsea Football Club. I know it's not strictly in the spirit of the nonsense section, but they've walked right into it.
£75m for Malo Gusto? At the same time as you're trying to lowball Sunderland into selling their best player for £8m (BBC Sport)?
And that's before we even get to *that* statement upon Enzo Maresca's unveiling at Manchester City yesterday - or rather, "our former Head Coach", which is what they exclusively referred to him as.
"No club wants to change its head coach midway through a season." Hmm.
"Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso, we have a manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity. He has all the attributes to deliver the success the Club's supporters deserve and expect."