Liverpool have been given a significant first green light in their bid to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, according to TEAMtalk.
Liverpool and new manager Andoni Iraola knew that work was needed in wide areas in the summer transfer window following the exit of Mohamed Salah this summer.
The Reds have already signed Victor Munoz from under the noses of Premier League rivals Newcastle United, but they still want to add another wide man before the window closes as they look for a much-improved 2026-27 campaign.
The Merseyside outfit had made RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande their top target and confidence was growing at one stage that he wanted to move to Anfield, but the teenager has decided he would prefer to join Paris Saint-Germain instead.
Ironically, if PSG do end up completing a deal to sign the Ivory Coast international, it could actually boost Liverpool's own chances of signing Barcola, with the Champions League holders also working on a deal to sign another forward in Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche.
Fabrizio Romano claims that the France international is their top target now, while the Reds are also considering signing a new midfielder after links to Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille and Bournemouth's Alex Scott.
Liverpool Given 'Significant' Barcola Boost
Bradley Barcolavia Reuters
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have been handed a 'significant' green light in their bid to prise Barcola away from the Parc des Princes, with the player's representatives actively exploring a move away from the French capital this summer.
Barcola's agents have already held talks with many top clubs around Europe despite PSG's insistence that he isn't for sale, but it's hard to see how there is a place for him in the squad if Diomande and Akliouche sign, given Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue are already in the squad.
Contract talks between PSG and their 'superstar' attacker have also stalled, meaning he currently has two years remaining on his deal with the Ligue 1 champions.
PSG plan to hold fresh talks with Barcola when he returns from the World Cup, and they will reluctantly consider a sale if there is no breakthrough in negotiations.
It is expected that they would demand €150m (£128m) for his services, which would eclipse the £125m British transfer record fee the Reds paid Newcastle United for Alexander Isak last summer.
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Liverpool Open Talks to Sign 'Elite' World Cup Star
Ayyoub Bouaddi in action for Morocco at the 2026 World CupBurt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA
Liverpool chiefs have clearly got their eyes on some of the best young talents in European football this summer, given they are currently holding talks to sign Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Even though he is only 18 years of age, the teenager is already approaching a century of first-team appearances for the French club, while he has announced himself on the world stage following some impressive performances for Morocco at the World Cup.
In his first appearance at the tournament, he outperformed the likes of Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta against Brazil, and he will be hoping to cause a huge upset by beating France in the quarter-finals on Thursday night.
The Reds will face competition from Manchester City among others for Bouaddi's signature.