Liverpool's pursuit of a new winger, following Mohamed Salah's departure, has been well documented and felt protracted. While addressing the media at Chicago Fire Endeavor Health Performance Centre earlier this week, new head coach Andoni Iraola asserted that "we definitely need to sign a winger", a sentiment certainly shared by supporters. Well, could the Reds have made a breakthrough in the chase for their number one target?
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on Sunday morning, Bradley Barcola "will not" sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain. The 23 year old, who joined les Rouge-et-Bleu from Olympique Lyonnais for €45 million in 2023, has just two years remaining on his current deal. Romano adds that Liverpool have the French international "top of their list" when it comes to new attacking signings, so could this decision force PSG's hand?
Throughout the summer, the European champions have made it clear they are reluctant to sell Barcola, which could just be a negotiating position. It has been widely reported that they will considering selling if they land both Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco and Yan Diomandé from RB Leipzig. Well, after selling Lee Kang-In to Atlético Madrid for €40 million, PSG had made a fourth bid for Akliouche, and it seems likely that this deal will go through eventually, with les Monégasques not wanting to part with their most prized asset easily.
Diomandé, on the other hand, despite his preference being a move to Paris, could be heading to Real Madrid, who are looking to hijack the deal for €100 million. Los Blancos have reportedly made an opening offer for the Ivorian teenager. This news appeared set to ensure that PSG would be unwilling to part ways with Barcola, but the fact he will not sign a new contract suggests otherwise.
Were he to leave PSG, Foot Mercato are reporting that Barcola's preference is a move to Anfield, stating that Liverpool's "sporting project particularly appeals" to him. Despite his somewhat precarious contractual situation, he is unlikely to come cheap. A fee of around €100 million would be needed to secure his signature, which would make him the third most expensive signing in Liverpool's history, behind only last summer's recruits Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
In 152 appearances for PSG, Barcola has scored 39 goals and racked up 37 assists, This includes netting against Manchester City during a 4-2 Champions League victory at Parc des Princes, as well as scoring home and away as les Parisiens steamrollered Chelsea 8-2 back in March.
Barcola nutmeg and assist 🤤#UCL pic.twitter.com/bCdgdiBsuX
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 24, 2025
He has so far won 12 major honours with Paris Saint-Germain, including back-to-back Champions Leagues, albeit starting neither final against Internazionale Milano nor Arsenal, coming off the bench in both Munich and Budapest. Désiré Doué continues to be Luis Enrique's first-choice, alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé; were Akliouche to arrive too, that would surely only push Barcola further down the forward line pecking order.
Thus, has it become slightly more realistic that Barcola will swap the Champs-Élysées for Merseyside before the 1 September deadline?
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