There are “encouraging signs” that Liverpool will sign Paris Saint-Germain and France ace Bradley Barcola this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The 23-year-old has been constantly linked with a move to Anfield, standing out as their primary wide option to make up for the loss of Mohamed Salah.
One person who isn’t convinced that it is the right piece of business is Jamie Carragher, however, despite him making it clear that he rates Barcola highly:
“He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that – I’d love to get Barcola at Liverpool. But he’s a left winger for me. Liverpool’s big thing that stands out like a sore thumb right now is replacing Mo Salah, a right winger. And I don’t think Liverpool have got anybody really in the squad who looks fully comfortable playing right wing.”
But speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke continued to talk up Liverpool’s chances of completing the signing of Barcola before the end of next month:
“It’s a deal that obviously Liverpool are working hard to try and get done. He has become their top target as they want to bring in another winger before the close of the window. Obviously they’ve been encouraged by the fact that he’s turned down a new contract to PSG and is open to a move to Anfield. Encouraging signs for Liverpool that they can get a deal done.”
Can Bradley Barcola excel on Liverpool’s right wing?
There is no denying Barcola’s status as an elite winger, as Carragher alludes to, but there is the issue of him being a left winger by trade, rather than excelling on the right flank like Salah.
It may be that Andoni Iraola has an idea in place to use the Frenchman there – he has done a job there sporadically throughout his career – or change Rio Ngumoha’s role.
Essentially, Liverpool wouldn’t be willing to pay a huge amount of money if there wasn’t a plan for him, and he is precisely the type of player they need this summer.
Last season, the Reds’ attack felt horribly one-paced, with Salah’s speed dipping and Cody Gakpo also struggling, but Barcola would help hugely in that respect, as well as new signing Victor Munoz.