Liverpool are gearing up for a summer of change, and it looks like the club's priority is clear: adding some serious one-on-one quality out wide. After last year's blockbuster deals for central attackers—including British record fees for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak—the focus is shifting to the flanks.
Manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes already splashed big money on Hugo Ekitike last summer, completely revamping the attack and supply lines. But this summer is a different story. The Premier League champions are hunting for pace, trickery, and dynamism on the wings.
The need is urgent. Mohamed Salah is set to leave after agreeing to tear up his £400k-per-week contract. Federico Chiesa looks likely to follow, having failed to convince Slot. Cody Gakpo has had an underwhelming campaign, while the head coach is hesitant to rely on young Rio Ngumoha as a consistent starter.
Enter Bradley Barcola. The France international has been linked with Anfield for several windows now. He joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 for around £40 million and went on to win a treble under Luis Enrique last season. But despite his talent, the 23-year-old hasn't cracked the Spaniard's ideal starting XI. With Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue firmly ahead in the pecking order, Barcola has started just 19 Ligue 1 games this season and has even fallen out of the Champions League starting lineup.
Reports suggest his frustration is growing. "The French international is one of the highest-rated wingers in world football, yet is concerned about his lack of minutes in top games and could seek a move away this summer," one report notes. "He's normally coming off the bench in all these big Champions League games, which could give Liverpool a potential opening that he could be prised away with regular first-team football."
Barcola is under contract at PSG until 2028, so any deal would command a sizeable fee. But for a versatile, high-upside winger who's proven he can deliver on the biggest stages, it might be a move worth making. For Liverpool, adding that kind of flair out wide could be the missing piece as they look to build on their title-winning form.