Liverpool are keen to bring Bradley Barcola to Anfield this summer, and their chances of signing the Paris Saint-Germain star have been handed a boost
Bradley Barcola looks
Liverpool are linked with Bradley Barcola(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool's pursuit of Bradley Barcola has been handed a major boost as Paris Saint-Germain close in on the signing of Maghnes Akliouche. The Reds are looking to bring in a versatile winger following Mohamed Salah's recent departure.
And while the likes of Yan Diomande and Antonio Nusa have been linked with moves to Anfield as of late, it is Barcola who is thought to be the club's primary target. While any move looked incredibly unlikely just a matter of weeks ago, given the 23-year-old's importance to PSG, it now appears as though Les Parisiens are on the verge of bringing in a replacement for Barcola.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the Ligue 1 club are in the final stages of talks with AS Monaco over Akliouche. The report claims that the final details of the deal are in the process of being confirmed, with a transfer expected imminently.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a stellar season with Monaco in 2025/26, bagging six goals and assists a piece in Ligue 1 to receive a call-up to Didier Deschamps' France World Cup squad. Should PSG complete a transfer of Akliouche, it would bring further speculation regarding Barcola's place in Luis Enrique's squad.
Liverpool have identified the Frenchman as a primary target to fill the void Salah leaves behind, given his impeccable form for club and country. Off the back of a Ligue 1 and Champions League-winning campaign with PSG, Barcola also impressed with his nation at the World Cup, further putting him in the frame for a move.
And Enrique's recent comments on player commitment have only bolstered the chances of Barcola completing a move. The Spanish tactician recently explained how he only wants footballers at the club who are dedicated solely to PSG, and with Barcola open to the idea of moving on, he will not fall into that bracket.
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However, a major hurdle for Liverpool to overcome will be PSG's valuation of their talent. It is suggested that Les Bleus are demanding around £145million to allow Barcola to leave this summer - which would land as a Premier League record fee.
That's despite CIES Football Observatory valuing the winger at around £85m earlier this week. It comes as Liverpool are not shy of transfer targets should Barcola be too far out of reach this summer.
Bournemouth talent Rayan has also been linked with a sensational move to Merseyside as of recent, having impressed in the Premier League with five goals and two assists after joining the club in January.
However, given how recently they signed him and the fact that a release clause will not be activatable until next year, the Cherries will be able to shut down any plans of a move outright. Liverpool will also face stiff competition in the form of Barcelona and Bayern Munich for the 19-year-old, in the event that Bournemouth do decide to cash in.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have also been linked with Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and FC Koln's Said El Mala should they fail to secure Barcola in the coming weeks. They also have Victor Munoz to lean on for the new term, having welcomed the Spaniard in a £34.5m move earlier this summer.
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