Liverpool are still on the hunt for Mohamed Salah’s successor. And while they’ve been linked with a number of names, there’s one player they should really bet everything on.
Salah said goodbye to the Anfield crowd in May – ending a nine-year love affair with the Merseyside club. The Egyptian scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for the Reds, winning two Premier League titles and one Champions League title during that period.
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As one of the greatest players ever to wear the Liverpool shirt, it is crucial for Andoni Iraola’s new team that they find an equally prolific goalscorer. Whether he operates on the right or left is not necessarily important – but Liverpool must replace Salah’s relentless production.
Diomande on his way to PSG – Barcola must be the target
Yan Diomande has been heavily linked with Liverpool, but seems to be opting for Paris Saint-Germain instead. It gives Liverpool a golden opportunity to strike at PSG’s own star: Bradley Barcola.
There is a shortage of top wingers on the market at the moment, and that leaves Liverpool with a tough decision in the search for Salah’s replacement. Most of the names linked to Anfield are high-rated young players with great potential – rather than established stars who are ready to deliver immediately.
Arsenal have also been considered as potential suitors for Barcola, so Liverpool will need to increase their interest before the Premier League champions convince the 23-year-old to move to north London.
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“An elite player”
Although Barcola still has his jagged edges, he is the most polished winger on the market. If PSG secure the signing of Diomande, Barcola will be redundant at the Parc des Princes – which is guaranteed to make him available to Liverpool.
With terrifying speed, effective dribbling skills and a consistent goal threat, Barcola has the potential to explode into a stable team where he is the main attacker.
In the 2024/25 season, the France international scored 21 goals and provided 18 assists across all competitions – figures that demonstrate his attacking quality and ability to deliver consistently in the final third. Exactly what Liverpool need in their post-Salah era.
Although he is mainly a left winger, Barcola can also be used on the right – meaning he could fill Salah’s old role or directly replace Cody Gakpo, who has been linked with Tottenham.
“£120 million plus is reasonable”
The concern is that PSG will demand a royal ransom. The French giants paid around £38 million for him in 2023, and will understandably want to see a significant return on investment.
Some reports suggest that it could cost over £128 million to sign Barcola. Even though that’s high, he’s the most complete winger on the market – and that’s the price a player of that calibre is currently going for.
Tottenham just spent £100 million on Sandro Tonali, while Manchester City paid £116 million for Elliot Anderson. Prices have never been more inflated. Signing a match-winning winger costs more than a skilled central midfielder.
Why Liverpool has bargaining power
While Liverpool will have to be careful that the price doesn’t get too insane, over £120 million is reasonable given the context of the market.
In addition, Liverpool has negotiating power. If Diomande swaps Leipzig for PSG, Luis Enrique will have a surplus of wingers – which is likely to make Barcola eager for a transfer. If he wants to leave, and PSG know they will probably have to sell, that should push the price down.
Iraola has given notice
Andoni Iraola has reportedly given the club’s management an ultimatum: He needs a top-class winger – and preferably before the start of the season.
Bradley Barcola is the man. Liverpool should empty the club coffers and sign him.
