Liverpool are still on the lookout for a new winger, and they are said to be eyeing a World Cup star who is not yet home. The Reds have had a quiet summer so far, but they did snap up Spain starlet Victor Munoz early in the summer, adding much-needed depth on the right.
Andoni Iraola is going to be given a significant budget to put his own stamp on his new squad, despite Liverpool spending huge money last summer, but they are taking their time to land the right targets.
One position they are desperate to strengthen is the wing following the departure of Mo Salah, and they could now move for a World Cup wideman.
Liverpool in the mix for Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola FranceAction Images
Liverpool are said to hold serious interest in Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, who could well be on the move this summer, when he returns from the World Cup. Barcola started France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain and will be back on the plane home at the end of this week, after Saturday's third-place play-off with either Argentina or England.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube show: "My understanding is still the same. I told you in April, in May, in June. Now it's July. Bradley Barcola can leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Then will he leave Paris Saint-Germain? This depends on the amount of money the clubs will put on the table for Barcola. So still a lot of money is needed to sign a top player like Barcola. But Bradley Barcola remains on Liverpool's shortlist and one of the names on Arsenal's shortlist.
"But Arsenal number one remains Morgan Rogers. Barcola is one of the other options under consideration for Liverpool. Barcola is a top target since last summer, and Liverpool still want the player, waiting to understand what's going to happen in terms of financial package. But for sure, the interest is strong in Bradley Barcola and Barcola is not untouchable because Barcola at the moment is not negotiating a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, and it means that there could be movement around the player."
Barcola a 'hard-working winger'
Bradley Barcola (France)Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters
Barcola is a direct and skillful winger, but he is also a hard-working player who has regularly been trusted by some of the best managers in the world in Luis Enrique and Didier Deschamps.
“Everyone is talking about Bradley Barcola, but remember after the Newcastle match (at home) last season, people said he wasn’t ready for the Champions League," PSG boss Luis Enrique said last season. "We are lucky that he is a very balanced person, very sensible, humble, hard-working, with great family values. He was able to calmly manage the difficult moments post-Newcastle period in the best possible way.”
Unfortunately for Barcola, he has Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in front of him on the left side of the PSG attack, and with the Georgian arguably the best winger in the world, it means his game time is reduced, at least in his favourite position. Barcola has also been utilised out of position, and he did play a big part in PSG's league and Champions League wins last season.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks on during Premier League match Related
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