Liverpool currently face an uphill battle to bring Alexander Isak to Anfield, and so rumours are rife that Arne Slot is also looking at alternative options in attack in the transfer market
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 29: Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain looks
Bradley Barcola has admirers at Anfield(Image: Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has praised the attitude of rumoured Liverpool target Bradley Barcola. With Liverpool's ongoing pursuit of Alexander Isak proving difficult, having already had a £110million bid turned down, Reds boss Arne Slot will also be considering alternative options to strengthen his attack.
Barcola, 22, signed for PSG in 2023 and bravely took on the daunting task of replacing his compatriot Kylian Mbappe, who departed for Real Madrid last summer – a challenge he didn't shy away from.
Despite constantly battling for a starting position under Luis Enrique, Barcola managed to score 21 goals and provide 19 assists in all competitions as PSG clinched both Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season, after beating Liverpool in the round of 16.
Speculation about a move for Barcola, as reported by French publication L'Equipe, may be premature, with Liverpool demonstrating in the past they won't quickly switch to secondary targets if they struggle to secure their first choice. There's no planned approach for him at present, and PSG don't seem willing to let him go this summer anyway.
However, should Liverpool decide to pursue their interest in Barcola in the future, he could still cost them a hefty £87m. Nonetheless, French legend Olivier Giroud has given the young player a glowing endorsement, commending his confidence after Barcola made a £43.5m transfer to the French champions.
"He's a shy guy in the dressing room," Giroud said in his column for L'Equipe in April 2024. "But he's very intelligent. You have some people who talk a lot. But the guy who is shy... they see everything and, afterwards, if you give advice to that guy, he knows what he has to do.
(From 2ndL) France's forward #25 Bradely Barcola, France's defender #03 Ferland Mendy, France's forward #09 Olivier Giroud (Top) and France's midfielder #06 Eduardo Camavinga (R) attend a training session at the Home Deluxe Arena Stadium in Paderborn, western Germany, on July 2, 2024, during the UEFA EURO 2024 football championship. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola stunned Olivier Giroud with his ability
"He has always been discreet off the field. He is someone who speaks little... what surprised me about him, and about today's young players, is how confident they are during their early training sessions. Especially him.
"From the start, he showed what he's capable of. You can see the potential. He still has room to grow, but he's already very skilled in dribbling and penetration."
Liverpool's summer window has caused waves of excitement amongst fans so far, with big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike already secured by the club. Yet there are some concerns over just how Slot will piece together his expensive jigsaw. While Isak represents a direct goal threat, Barcola predominantly plays on the left wing, making him not so much a like-for-like alternative.
Ibrahima Konate and Bradley Barcola challenge for the ball
Barcola played against Liverpool in the Champions League last year
Yet the signing of Barcola would help Ekitike, who is expected to shift to the left should Isak arrive to play centrally. It appears that Barcola wouldn't be too daunted by having to form something of a utility man in attack either.
Former Lyon assistant manager Franck Passi reiterated Giroud's observations about Barcola's quiet demeanour, yet he also notes the player's immense talent and flexibility.
"He's a shy guy in the dressing room. But he's very intelligent," Passi told The Athletic. "You have some people who talk a lot. But the guy who is shy... they see everything and, afterwards, if you give advice to that guy, he knows what he has to do.
"Today, because he's full of confidence, he is able to do other things and showing all his skills when cutting inside. We see his ability in front of the near post; he can score goals, can cross, can play a key pass. He can do anything."
With Darwin Nunez on the verge of a switch to Al-Hilal, Luis Diaz having already made the move to Bayern Munich, and the tragic death of Diogo Jota, Liverpool find themselves in need of bolstering their attack.
The Mirror report how the futures of Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa at Anfield remain uncertain, potentially leaving the Reds with just three senior forwards – Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Ekitike.
Moreover, there's speculation that the potential arrival of Barcola could hinder the progress of the promising 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who also operates on the left flank, casting further doubt on the French star's likelihood of a Merseyside move this summer.