Liverpool are confident of winning the race for Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, with the 23-year-old valued at around £100m and Arsenal, Bayern Munich also keen, according to reports. The pursuit comes as the Reds, who saw Mohamed Salah depart Anfield this summer, look to rebuild under new manager Andoni Iraola.
Barcola impressed at the World Cup with four goal contributions for France, and scored 13 times last season after netting 21 the year prior. His potential exit from PSG is facilitated by the imminent arrival of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, which will allow the Champions League winners to offload the winger.
“Liverpool confident of signing PSG's Bradley Barcola for £100m as Iraola era begins after Salah exit.”
Liverpool have also made an approach for Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, a 24-year-old who made one World Cup appearance and scored seven goals in 43 outings last term. PSG have seen several offers for Akliouche, the most recent around £34m, declined by Monaco, but the player could be available for the right price. The Reds remain front of the queue for Barcola, however.
The club’s recruitment drive follows a summer in which they spent more than £400m last year, twice breaking the British transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, and added Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike. But they slipped from champions to fifth, narrowly qualifying for the Champions League. They have already signed Spanish winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m, while centre-half Jeremy Jacquet agreed a £55m move from Rennes in January.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, 22, favours a move to Arsenal but has concerns over game time at the Emirates; he is also keen on Chelsea after the Cherries rejected a £64m bid from the Blues. Bruno Fernandes, 31, has decided to commit his future to Manchester United, with talks over a new deal ongoing. Besiktas are trying to sign Newcastle’s Joe Willock, 26, who is in the final year of his contract and will not be offered a new deal. Arsenal are not ruling out selling captain Martin Odegaard, 27, and will listen to offers. Manchester United are exploring a move for Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, 23, who missed France’s World Cup squad. Roma have asked about Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi, 28, with the Blues asking around £17m. Fulham have opened negotiations with Real Madrid over striker Gonzalo Garcia, 22.
Liverpool, now under Iraola, are seeking to return to the top after a disappointing season, and the pursuit of Barcola signals their intent to reshape the attack without Salah.
