Liverpool chase £128m Barcola as Salah exit widens attack gap

Confirmed Liverpool are confronting a widening void in attack after missing out on their ideal replacement for Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian King, 34, has agreed to terminate his contract a year early and is set to join Besiktas, leaving a big gap for the Premier League champions. Salah’s early exit creates urgency for a forward who can deliver the one‑on‑one quality the club lacks on the wing. Richard Hughes moved quickly to seal a deal for Yan Diomande, but Liverpool’s offer of up to €100m for the Ivorian 19‑year‑old was rejected by RB Leipzig. The rejection means Diomande will remain in the Bundesliga for at least another season. With that option closed, Liverpool have turned their attention to other prospects. Said El Mala, Yankuba Minteh and Matias Fernandez‑Pardo are reported to be on the club’s radar as potential reinforcements.

David Lynch, speaking to his YouTube audience, said: "Quick update on Bradley Barcola and where we're up to with that one. I've had Liverpool sources effectively confirm to me this week they absolutely love him as a player. There's no doubt about that. They are one of many clubs who really, really like him. Their admiration has been long‑standing, and they really do continue to admire him coming into this window. It's more about now in terms of him potentially signing for Liverpool down to kind of the numbers around that deal, what's being demanded and the feasibility of it. Of course, then whether he chooses Liverpool versus other suitors that he might have, what kind of contract offers he's getting as well. It's not about whether they like the player or not. I think you can pretty much nail that down now that Liverpool really do admire Bradley Barcola and would like to sign him if the opportunity presents itself." Barcola, 23, is under contract at Paris Saint‑Germain until 2028 but has slipped down the French club’s pecking order. PSG claim they do not want to sell, yet a price tag of around €150m (£128m) has been floated.

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Liverpool’s pursuit of Barcola reflects their need to replace Salah’s goal threat and add a winger capable of creating chances in tight spaces. The £128m figure underscores the financial commitment the club is prepared to make to secure the player. Richard Hughes and sporting director Andoni Iraola believe Barcola is the ideal candidate to provide the required one‑on‑one quality on the flank. The club now faces the challenge of meeting the demanded fee and convincing the French international to choose Anfield over other suitors.