Liverpool chase £120m Barcola deal as Iraola seeks Salah replacement

Andoni Iraola faces a clear shortage in attack after Mohamed Salah’s departure, a problem that was starkly visible in Liverpool’s 2-2 Premier League season‑opener against Newcastle. The club’s top target, French winger Bradley Barcola, is seen as the answer to that gap, and the urgency grew in Aug as the transfer window nears its close.

Attacking void exposed

During the Newcastle draw, Rio Ngumoha started on the right wing having only a summer to learn the role and struggled, while Lewis Koumas was forced into a top‑flight debut in the second half, underscoring the lack of forward depth. The Reds’ fans breathed a sigh of relief when reports confirmed an agreement with Paris Saint‑Germain to sign Barcola.

Speaking at a Thursday press conference ahead of the clash with Nottingham Forest, the Spanish manager said, "As you know, we are trying to sign in that position. We can’t talk about players who right now aren’t ours. But we are trying to improve and fill that position as we don’t have the numbers. I hope we have good news soon but we are still not there." He refused to name the Frenchman but acknowledged the club’s interest in that area of the pitch.

Iraola added, "There are certain things we can but it’s true we need players in the wide areas. I’m sure if we can improve other areas we will but I don’t know how the market is going to finish. I have to be patient as well as you." He later explained via the Liverpool Echo that decisions may come on the last day, noting the window closes on 2 September.

£120m package moves forward

According to The Athletic, Liverpool and Paris Saint‑Germain have agreed on a package worth £120m, which would make Barcola the second‑most expensive player in Liverpool history, behind Alexander Isak’s £125m move last summer. The deal is still pending final signatures.

Sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon led talks with their PSG counterparts, steering the negotiation toward completion.

The 23‑year‑old Frenchman would immediately bolster the frontline, a sector weakened by Hugo Ekitike’s Achilles injury and Salah’s exit at the end of last season. His arrival is expected to give LIVERPOOL the width and creativity that have been missing.

Less than five days remain until the summer window slams shut, and while the agreement is in place, the transfer is not yet complete. Iraola warned that the market’s final days will determine whether the Reds can close the deal before the deadline.

ImagesAndoni Liverpool(Image: Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images) View 3 Images. Notice the club’s determination as we watch the final hours unfold.