Liverpool are on the hunt for their Mohamed Salah successor as they enter a new era at Anfield.
The Reds will return to Kirkby for pre-season training next week and, after a disappointing campaign, supporters will be intrigued to see how Andoni Iraola approaches his new role on Merseyside.
Following the departures of several experienced key players this summer, all eyes will be on Liverpool’s recruitment plans as the club enters a period of transition all over the pitch.
What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?
The Athletic’s James Pearce revealed this week that Liverpool’s priority remains finding a replacement for Salah, which will be an incredibly difficult task given his contributions during his time at the club.
The Reds had been set on signing RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande to future-proof their forward line.
However, it was later reported that the Ivory Coast international preferred a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Although that news came as a blow for the Merseyside giants, it has now opened the possibility of negotiating a deal for shortlisted target Bradley Barcola, and fresh reports have offered renewed hope.
According to L’Equipe, PSG have slapped a £128m price tag on their talented winger and could be open to letting him move on if contract negotiations fail to progress this summer.
The Frenchman is currently featuring at the World Cup and playing a vital role in the latter stages of the tournament, so naturally he is not open to discussing his future while on international duty.
However, the Ligue 1 champions are keen to resume contract talks upon his return to Paris, and the outcome of those discussions will be the defining factor.
Should Liverpool sign Bradley Barcola?
There is no doubt that Liverpool need an attacking threat they can rely on next season, and Barcola has the potential to become an incredible asset.
The 23-year-old ace – once hailed as “inevitable” by France teammate Kylian Mbappe – scored 13 goals and registered seven assists across all competitions last season.
Not only that, he has also been a standout performer in North America this summer at the World Cup in his debut tournament, contributing two goals and one assist.
Bringing in a player with elite-level experience and a proven winning mentality would be hugely advantageous for Liverpool, as Salah has been the catalyst for much of the club’s success over the last decade.
The only sticking point for the Reds will be waiting to discover Barcola’s fate in Paris, with negotiations unlikely to begin until well into next month.
Liverpool must now weigh up whether they can afford to be patient or if they need to move quickly to secure another option for the role.
If PSG fail to reach an agreement with Barcola over a new contract, Liverpool could find themselves with a rare opportunity to sign one of Europe’s brightest attacking talents.
Replacing a player of Salah’s calibre will never be straightforward, but the French winger possesses the quality, potential and winning mentality to become a cornerstone of Iraola’s new-look project at Anfield for years to come.
