Both Diomande and Barcola are on Liverpool's transfer shortlist but the Reds will have a decision to make after an Anfield icon made his pitch for his preference between the two.
10:22, 17 Jul 2026
Bradley Barcola and a football
Bradley Barcola(Image: AP)
Jason McAteer has put forward his pitch for Liverpool to prioritize the signing of Bradley Barcola over Yan Diomande this summer.
Both wide players have been linked with a move to Anfield with the Premier League giants on the hunt for more attacking options ahead of the coming season.
Both Barcola and Diomande have been away with their respective nations at the World Cup this summer and McAteer feels the former's performances with France were more "mature" than the Ivorian's. And with the Reds looking to find a readymade forward to hit the ground running this term, former midfielder McAteer has urged the club to plump for Barcola.
"Between Diomande and Barcola I would probably go for Barcola right now. I don't think Liverpool need to buy potential anymore. I think we found out last season that potential doesn't necessarily work all the time," the former Ireland international told Betarades.gr.
"You kind of need to buy a bit more of a finished article and someone you can trust a little bit more. I just think Barcola's performances in this World Cup have just shown more maturity than Diomande.
"Playing for PSG, he's got the experience of winning things, he's got experience of being in a top dressing room and being around top players. I think he's matured and this French team under Deschamps has matured.
"I think you've seen a different Kylian Mbappe, a different Michael Olise and a different Ousmane Dembele, and I think you've seen a different Barcola. Plus his attitude's been great because he's been fighting for that left-hand side with Doué, and you don't see anything coming out.
Yan Diomande celebrates during an RB Leipzig game
Yan Diomande(Image: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
"There seems to be a good harmony amongst the French team and I like that. Plus he's versatile, he can play on the left and right. So for me, if you're going to be pushing to the sort of £80million ($107m) mark, I'm looking at Barcola."
Diomande, meanwhile, is wanted by Paris-Saint Germain and had previously been expected to make the switch to the Ligue 1 giants. The 19-year-old had made his decision and was said to be closing in on a move from RB Leipzig before a twist in the tale emerged this week.
According to reports in Germany, six clubs are now chasing Diomande including Manchester United, rivals City, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Jason McAteer during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield on December 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Jason McAteer(Image: Getty Images)
All interested clubs have been keeping a close eye on the playmaker's progress and it has now been made clear that he is yet to make any official or final decision regarding his future.
The Reds had a bid for Diomande knocked back in June but it is understood that Liverpool's transfer rivals are unwilling to go above the $116m offer initially placed by Andoni Iraola's side.
For McAteer, the PSG interest is another reason Liverpool should focus on Barcola. He added: "PSG are looking at him, which will obviously drive the price up and it becomes like a bit of a fight between the two clubs which inflates the price.
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"And then Barcola now comes into the equation because if Diomande goes to PSG, does Barcola play if you've got Diomande."