Liverpool's risky Barcola waiting game as Ngumoha earns right-wing role

Liverpool are pursuing a calculated gamble in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with the club continuing to hold out for a lower fee as the transfer window approaches its September 1 deadline.

PSG had initially valued the 23-year-old France international at £145 million, a figure Liverpool refused to meet. The Reds instead opted to wait, banking on PSG’s own inbound transfer activity softening their stance. That approach has shown early signs of working — French outlet Jeunes Footeux reports PSG have since reduced their asking price following the arrivals of Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts at the Parc des Princes.

However, journalist Ben Jacobs has cautioned that Liverpool’s strategy is not without danger. Speaking on talkSPORT, Jacobs warned that continuing to delay in the hope of forcing PSG’s hand further in the closing days of the window could backfire, leaving the club without their primary target if negotiations collapse under time pressure.

Manager Andoni Iraola has had a measured start to his first transfer window at Anfield, bringing in only Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo so far. The Spaniard is also preparing his squad for Sunday’s Premier League opener away to Newcastle United, meaning transfer business is being conducted against a backdrop of immediate competitive demands.

Should Barcola arrive, his preferred left-wing berth would have a knock-on effect for academy product Rio Ngumoha. According to The Times, the 17-year-old would be deployed predominantly on the right flank — a position Liverpool have yet to fill following Mohamed Salah’s departure — and is considered the most likely long-term candidate to succeed the Egyptian.

Ngumoha has spent a significant portion of pre-season on the right wing and started there in Liverpool’s final friendly against Como. Iraola has consistently demanded versatility from his wide players, a trait he cultivated at Bournemouth with the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara, and Ngumoha appears to be adapting to that requirement ahead of his first senior season.