Liverpool’s Barcola chase tests Iraola as £130m price looms

Liverpool face a crucial test less than a week before their Premier League opener, with Andoni Iraola needing to fill the void left by Ibrahima Konate’s free move to Real Madrid and Mohamed Salah’s switch to Trabzonspor, while Bradley Barcola remains the club’s top target.

Winger vacancy after Salah’s exit

Andoni Iraola's side have only welcomed three senior signings, leaving the Reds thin on options to replace the departing stars. The departure of Mohamed Salah to Trabzonspor has created an urgent need for a new winger, a role the club has struggled to fill this summer.

Barcola price challenge

Bradley Barcola has emerged as Liverpool’s primary target, but PSG’s £130m asking price sits beyond the Reds’ current budget. The French winger primarily operates on the left, whereas Liverpool have expressed a preference for a right‑winger.

Victor Munoz, signed from Osasuna for £34.6m in June, offered a glimpse of a possible alternative. In a behind‑closed‑doors friendly against Como at the AXA Training Centre, Munoz starred, tearing right‑back Ivan Smolcic apart before being substituted at the 46th minute of a 70‑minute match.

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Jeremy Jacquet arrived from Rennes for £60million after negotiations in January, bolstering the centre‑back line alongside a one‑year loan for Ronald Araujo from Barcelona, who can be purchased for £47.1m after the loan. Both signings address the gap left by Ibrahima Konate's free transfer to Real Madrid.

Ben Crawford, Senior Sports Writer, noted at Writer05:00 on Aug 17 that Liverpool’s transfer window has been relatively quiet, with only three senior arrivals so far. ImagesAndoni Iraola (Getty) highlighted the urgency as the Premier League campaign looms.

With Barcola’s price out of reach and Munoz already proving his worth on the left, Iraola may need to reassess whether the £130m investment is necessary, especially as Rio Ngumoha adapts to both flanks, offering an internal solution for the winger role.