Liverpool may well look to “pursue” a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Yan Diomande has been the leading wide attacking target for the Reds for months now, with the 19-year-old one of the most exciting young players in the world.
He again impressed for the Ivory Coast against Florian Wirtz’s Germany on Saturday night, despite losing 2-1, playing a key role in his side’s goal to open the scoring.
But PSG are also reportedly in the mix to sign Diomande this summer, so it is far from a given that Liverpool will manage to get a deal over the line.
Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke talked up Barcola as an option for the Reds ahead of next season, should they fail to sign their No.1 target:
“I’m sure there have been clubs watching Barcola at the World Cup, doing their homework. He did himself no harm with that goal off the bench for France against Senegal. Look, he’s been a long-term target for Liverpool, Barcola. I think obviously Liverpool’s top target is Yan Diomande, if they can get a deal done for him, I think that’s the deal that they would pursue.”
Is Bradley Barcola a strong alternative to Yan Diomande for Liverpool?
It seems fairly clear that Liverpool are desperate to bring Diomande in, but if that doesn’t happen, Barcola could be a fantastic signing.
The two-time Champions League winner can play on both wings, combining pace and quality, with PSG boss Luis Enrique a big admirer, saying:
“Everyone is talking about Bradley Barcola, but remember after the Newcastle match (at home) last season, people said he wasn’t ready for the Champions League. We are lucky that he is a very balanced person, very sensible, humble, hard-working, with great family values. He was able to calmly manage the difficult moments post-Newcastle period in the best possible way.”
Barcola showed his quality in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal at the World Cup, scoring with a lovely finish from the substitutes’ bench, and it is easy to see him flourishing in a Liverpool shirt.
That said, Diomande still looks like the player with the higher ceiling, so the Reds must continue working hard to strike a big-money deal.
