Liverpool remain in the hunt for Bradley Barcola's services this summer
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has yet to complete Liverpool's business in the transfer market(Image: Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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Liverpool could benefit from a more calculated gamble in their pursuit of Bradley Barcola this summer. The Paris Saint-Germain winger remains the Reds' primary target, though an agreement to secure his services has yet to materialise.
Andoni Iraola has presided over a relatively subdued transfer window during his early months as Liverpool boss, having secured only Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo. Jeremy Jacquet has also arrived at Anfield, but the Frenchman's deal was clinched during Arne Slot's reign.
The Spaniard will be optimistic that he can finalise additional reinforcements before the window closes on September 1. He has just four days until the Reds' Premier League season is underway on Sunday against Newcastle United.
Amid suggestions that Liverpool could adopt a more adventurous strategy in their pursuit of Barcola, Rio Ngumoha is already positioned for a significant move this season.
Barcola transfer strategy
Bradley Barcola runs
Bradley Barcola is still a top target for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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The transfer fee for Barcola continues to represent the major obstacle between PSG and Liverpool, according to reports. The French champions had reportedly placed a £145million valuation on the 23-year-old, with the Reds reluctant to proceed at that figure.
This has resulted in Liverpool adopting something of a patient approach, hoping that PSG's own recruitment activity might help drive down the asking price for the Frenchman. The Ligue 1 champions have since wrapped up the signings of Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts, softening their position on retaining Barcola.
French outlet Jeunes Footeux [via Liverpool.com] reports that PSG have now lowered their valuation of Barcola, vindicating Liverpool's bold transfer strategy.
However, journalist Ben Jacobs has warned on talkSPORT [via This Is Anfield] that the Premier League giants could be taking a gamble if they continue to play the waiting game until the closing stages of the window in a bid to force PSG into dropping their asking price even further.
Ngumoha role
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool during the during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco
Rio Ngumoha could be in line for a new role at Anfield(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
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Should Barcola complete his move to Anfield, the France international would occupy his preferred left-wing berth, which would likely see Ngumoha earn the majority of his minutes on the right flank, according to The Times.
The Reds are yet to find a permanent successor to Mohamed Salah this summer, though it is suggested the 17-year-old is the frontrunner to fill the Egyptian's boots. Ngumoha has featured prominently on the right wing throughout pre-season and was handed a starting role there in the club's final friendly against Como on Sunday.
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Iraola demands versatility from his wide players, something he was accustomed to at Bournemouth, where the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara were regularly deployed across different positions.
Ngumoha has acknowledged that he has been working on adapting his game to the opposite flank. He explained: "All the coaching staff are just telling me to play my normal game really, whether that's going inside or outside. I've been working on it in training anyway, playing on the right and the left. Just being unpredictable really."
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