Liverpool Target Bradley Barcola as Iraola Focuses on Winger Reinforcement

LIVERPOOL — Liverpool are preparing to open formal talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a potential move for French winger Bradley Barcola as new head coach Andoni Iraola continues to reshape the squad ahead of the 2026/27 season. The 23-year-old has quickly emerged as the club’s leading attacking target following the departure of Mohamed Salah, with Liverpool determined to inject more pace, creativity and intensity into their wide areas before the new Premier League campaign begins.

According to sources close to the negotiations, Liverpool have already held initial discussions with Barcola’s representatives and are now preparing to make an official approach to PSG. The France international is believed to be open to a move to Anfield after becoming increasingly frustrated with his limited role in Paris. Although he still has two years remaining on his current contract, any potential deal is expected to be complex due to PSG’s high valuation, which is reported to be between £128 million and £145 million. Arsenal are also monitoring the situation closely, setting up a potential transfer battle between two Premier League heavyweights.

The interest in Barcola is seen as a clear reflection of Iraola’s tactical vision for Liverpool. The Spanish coach, known for his high-intensity pressing systems and aggressive wing play during his previous managerial spells, is keen to build a more dynamic and fluid attacking structure at Anfield. Barcola, who developed at Lyon before moving to PSG, is regarded as a player who fits that profile perfectly thanks to his acceleration, dribbling ability and relentless work rate. He has already enjoyed significant success in France, winning multiple domestic trophies as well as two UEFA Champions League titles, and is widely considered one of Europe’s most promising young forwards.

However, the potential deal has sparked debate among pundits and former players. One of the main concerns is whether Barcola is the right profile to replace Mohamed Salah, who spent years operating as Liverpool’s primary threat from the right-hand side. Barcola is naturally more comfortable on the left wing, which has led to questions about how he would fit into Liverpool’s attacking structure. Some analysts believe that signing another left-sided forward could create a tactical imbalance, especially given the presence of Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Florian Wirtz, all of whom also prefer similar positions.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has been particularly vocal about the issue, suggesting that the club’s priority should be signing a natural right winger rather than another left-sided attacker. He argued that Liverpool risk repeating structural problems if they fail to address the imbalance left by Salah’s departure. Despite this criticism, Liverpool’s recruitment team remain confident that Barcola’s versatility allows him to adapt across the front line, and they view his long-term potential as a key factor in their interest.

On the pitch, Iraola is also dealing with a number of challenges during pre-season. Liverpool’s recent 4-2 defeat to Leeds United highlighted ongoing defensive issues, particularly from set pieces, where the team conceded twice from Ethan Ampadu’s long throws. Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai admitted after the match that defending dead-ball situations remains a serious concern, warning that similar problems could undermine the team’s progress if not addressed quickly. Last season, Liverpool conceded 20 goals from set pieces in the Premier League, the worst record in the division, and the latest performance suggested that the issue is still unresolved.

In addition to tactical concerns, injuries are also complicating Iraola’s preparations. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of the season due to a muscle injury, leaving Liverpool short of experienced centre-back options. Virgil van Dijk is set to return from his post-World Cup break imminently, while young defender Jeremey Jacquet continues his recovery from a long-term shoulder problem. Despite these setbacks, club insiders insist that Liverpool’s immediate transfer focus remains firmly on strengthening the attacking department rather than reinforcing the back line.

With less than three weeks remaining before the start of the new Premier League season, Liverpool face a crucial period in the transfer market. The pursuit of Barcola represents both ambition and risk, as the club attempts to rebuild its attacking identity while simultaneously addressing defensive weaknesses. For Iraola, the coming weeks could prove decisive in shaping not only Liverpool’s squad, but also the direction of his early tenure at Anfield.