Liverpool turn to PSG's Barcola as £100m-plus target after Diomande expected to slip away

Liverpool are lining up a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola after the Reds appear set to miss out on their primary target, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, with PSG expected to secure the 19-year-old’s signature.

Diomande had been heavily linked with Liverpool as the club seek a wide attacking player to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah’s departure. The Ivory Coast international has drawn widespread attention with his performances at the World Cup, but PSG have moved to the front of the queue for his signature.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool could pivot to Barcola if Diomande completes his move to the French capital, with the France international potentially available should a “big proposal” arrive. The 23-year-old scored 13 goals in 49 appearances for PSG last season, though he has frequently been rotated out of the starting lineup by manager Luis Enrique in favour of Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Despite Liverpool’s reported interest dating back to 2025, the path to a deal is far from straightforward. David Ornstein has indicated that PSG do not want to sell Barcola and would prefer to retain him as a rotation option — particularly if they are simultaneously spending heavily on Diomande. The Ligue 1 club are said to value the winger at well over £100m and are under no financial pressure to sell.

Barcola’s own position adds a layer of complexity. The winger is reluctant to sign a contract extension and is pushing for more regular starts, which could ultimately force PSG’s hand if a sufficiently large offer materialises. Luis Enrique, however, is keen to keep him at the club.

The situation at PSG is in flux more broadly. AC Milan are set to sign Goncalo Ramos from the club for a record fee, while Lee Kang-in and Randal Kolo Muani are also expected to leave Paris, making Barcola’s continued presence even more important to the squad’s depth.

Whether Liverpool are willing to meet PSG’s valuation — and whether Barcola’s desire for more playing time outweighs the appeal of remaining at one of Europe’s biggest clubs — will determine if a deal is realistic this summer.