Bradley Barcola is reportedly “pushing” to leave Paris Saint-Germain, having been identified by Liverpool as a key transfer alternative to Yan Diomande.
Liverpool had hoped to secure a blockbuster deal for long-term target Diomande this summer to follow the surprise £34.5million capture of Spain winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna as the Reds retool their attacking options under new head coach Andoni Iraola in the wake of Mohamed Salah’s exit.
However, news emerged on Sunday that the highly-rated Ivory Coast winger, 19, had a preference to join rival suitors PSG instead and had already reached an agreement with the reigning French and European champions over personal terms.
PSG were said to have entered into club-to-club negotiations over Diomande with Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, who are expected to demand a fee in excess of €100million (£86m) for their top asset.
That has led Liverpool to look at other options, with talkSPORT among the outlets to report that Barcola is a “strong alternative” who is “pushing to leave” PSG - a resolve that will presumably only be strengthened in the event that Diomande does arrive at the Parc des Princes following the World Cup.
Barcola has been linked with a whole host of other clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United amid ongoing uncertainty over his future at PSG, where he has only two years left to run on his current contract and an extension has not been agreed.
The 23-year-old has been a key figure under Luis Enrique and won a plethora of major silverware since joining from Lyon in 2023, including three Ligue 1 titles and two Champions Leagues, though has fallen behind the trio of Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue in the attacking pecking order in Paris.
Barcola was said to have been unhappy at being named on the bench for the Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest last month, having replaced Kvaratskhelia late on in normal time. He was also a substitute in last year’s final win over Inter Milan in Munich.
In addition to Munoz, whose release clause at Osasuna was triggered by Liverpool earlier this month, French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet will also arrive at Anfield this summer after a £60m deal was struck in January with Rennes, where he remained for the second half of last season.
Jacquet is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training with Liverpool in early July after being sidelined since February with a serious shoulder injury.
He will be seen as the direct replacement for compatriot Ibrahima Konate, who is joining Real Madrid on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract on Merseyside.
Andy Robertson has also departed Liverpool following the end of his deal along with Konate and club icon Salah, joining Tottenham.
Salah has yet to decide on his next club as he competes with Egypt at the World Cup, but has been linked with moves to several countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the USA.
