Liverpool have held talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola during this summer transfer window as they now seek to replace Mohamed Salah this season
Bradley Barcola playing for France
Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool's priority transfer target this summer(Image: Getty Images)
View Image
Paris Saint-Germain have announced the signing of Maghnes Akliouche after holding talks with Liverpool over Bradley Barcola. Their new £43million midfielder only adds to the club's attacking options and can notably play out wide, like the Reds target.
Akliouche, 24, primarily plays as an attacking midfielder. However, he can also play on the right, where Barcola has played for PSG despite preferring the opposite wing because he is right-footed.
The new arrival is a left-footer, and both players could easily play together. Nevertheless, it continues to increase competition for places in Paris, where Barcola has already struggled to start matches.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
Desire Doué, Ibrahim Mbaye and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all competed with him for spots in the side last season. Akliouche now adds to their options on the flanks.
PSG refer to him as a "young winger" on their website, which may hint at where Luis Enrique plans to use the player. As could his new shirt number, which is 11.
L'Equipe claims that Akliouche is a replacement for Lee Kang-in, who joined Atletico Madrid late last month. They add that they are also in verbal discussions with Ajax over Mika Godts, a right-footed winger like Barcola who plays off the left.
Content Image
Content Image
The French sports newspaper claims Liverpool and PSG are confident of reaching an agreement regarding the 23-year-old. Barcola's representatives have given the Reds encouraging signs following preliminary talks between the two parties.
After entering the final two years of his contract with the club, Barcola has reportedly made it known that he is unwilling to renew his deal. Arsenal are said to have scouted the France international, and will seemingly not be signing Vinicius Junior, who appears to be staying at Real Madrid.
Mbaye is another player of interest to the Reds. Akliouche could also impact the Senegal international's playing time.
Andoni Iraola leads Liverpool in his debut campaign at Anfield
Andoni Iraola leads Liverpool in his debut campaign at Anfield((Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images))
Liverpool have only added Victor Munoz to their attacking options this summer. The Spain international joins Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha as their options out wide.
Munoz makes up for Salah's departure numbers-wise, but the Reds still need to cover for Hugo Ekitike missing the start of this season injured. His absence could necessitate Gakpo playing centrally as an alternative to Alexander Isak.
Harvey Elliott and Kieran Morrison could also come into the fold, especially with speculation surrounding the futures of Chiesa and Gakpo. Liverpool have also looked at the likes of Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Said El Mala and Yankuba Minteh.