Liverpool made Bradley Barcola their final signing of the summer after sealing a £123million deal with Paris Saint-Germain but the Reds had a number of alternatives to the French winger
Bradley Barcola
Liverpool eventually sealed a deal for Bradley Barcola(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool had as many as eight alternatives to Bradley Barcola in the summer transfer window, including England’s Anthony Gordon and Real Madrid star Endrick.
The Reds came into the window needing additions out wide following Mohamed Salah’s exit. They eventually signed Barcola in a £123million deal after a summer-long search followed by drawn-out negotiations with former side Paris Saint-Germain.
But it is well known that the Frenchman was not the only player that Liverpool chiefs had in mind. Former RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande was a high-profile target, albeit Real Madrid swooped in to seal his services instead.
And that appears to have been the theme with a host of their potential attacking targets. Former Everton and Newcastle man Anthony Gordon was an early possibility but he instead moved to Barcelona for £69m after the Spanish side chose not to activate their permanent £26m option for Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
Liverpool were also left frustrated as their attempts to sign Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh ended without a positive result. Brighton received bids of £50m and £60m for the Gambian but chose to turn them down.
While Minteh eventually stayed where he was, the same cannot be said of the rest of Liverpool’s shortlist. Matias Fernandez-Pardo had emerged as an option following his standout performances for French side Lille, with Newcastle sealing a late deal worth £51m for his services.
Lyon wideman Malick Fofana was also eyed by Liverpool, but he too opted for a move to the north east, having sealed a deadline day switch to Sunderland.
Anthony Gordon
Liverpool were previously interested in Anthony Gordon(Image: Getty Images)
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Away from Barcola, Liverpool also had another PSG winger in mind in their search for attacking reinforcements. Ibrahim Mbaye was eventually on the move to the Premier League but signed for Aston Villa.
Their final two options were Real Madrid’s Endrick and Koln’s Said El Mala, but they eventually stayed with their current clubs.
That left Liverpool pursuing a deal for Barcola, who is keen to lift silverware at Anfield. He said: "I hope to achieve very big thingsFirst of all, winning the Premier League – it's one of my biggest dreams in my life.
"It is to do that and to stay in this team in the long term – that's why I signed a long contract – and I hope I can do it.
"It's a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool. I'm very happy. It took a long time but I'm really happy to be able to play for Liverpool and all I want is to be on the pitch and be able to play."