​Liverpool endured a frustrating pursuit of Yan Diomande as they chased the 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger ahead of the summer window. The outgoing Premier League champions identified Diomande as a prime target, with Sporting Director Richard Hughes even submitting an offer that could climb to €100 million. However, Leipzig’s hierarchy swiftly rejected the bid, and rather than mounting a second attempt, Liverpool appeared to abandon the move, suggesting there was little point in a renewed push.
Diomande had already decided to join Paris Saint-Germain, with the two-time European champions now at the forefront of negotiations for the Ivorian forward. That development leaves the Reds scrambling to secure an alternative solution for a position that Andoni Iraola, the club’s new coach, views as critical after Mohamed Salah’s departure. Salah’s exit comes with his colossal £400k-per-week contract being scrapped, creating a pressing need for a top-class winger to bolster the squad.
In the hunt for a Diomande replacement, Liverpool appeared to zero in on Bradley Barcola as the next-best option, while other potential targets mentioned included Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Said El Mala, and Yankuba Minteh. Barcola, 23, has been part of PSG since 2023 but could be pushed further down the depth chart if Diomande joins the French giants. PSG, who currently have Barcola under contract until 2028, have shown a willingness to extend his deal but a fresh report from L’Equipe suggests they would be open to selling if the price is right.
The issue for Liverpool is the ever-escalating valuation. What previously suggested a market-rate price of around €130 million (£113.5 million) for Barcola now appears to have risen to roughly €150 million (£128 million). PSG seem intent on cashing in on Barcola this summer, with a goal of raising as much as €300 million through sales of players such as Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-In, and now Barcola.
Officially, Barcola is not for sale, and PSG even want to extend his contract, which runs to 2028. Unlike Ramos, who publicly indicated during the World Cup that he hoped to join Milan, PSG have paused discussions while Barcola continues his stint in the United States. However, if talks stall, a departure cannot be ruled out. Paris have set a price tag of €150 million, a figure that narrows the market significantly, with English clubs being among the few capable of meeting it. Arsenal, and most notably Liverpool, are counted among the interested parties.
Barcola offers versatility, capable of playing on either flank, which adds appeal for Liverpool. Yet at a price approaching €150 million, questions arise about whether the transfer would deliver value commensurate with the outlay. Liverpool previously smashed their transfer record twice last summer, investing in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, underscoring the club’s willingness to spend big in pursuit of elite talent. As the Diomande saga concludes with PSG’s involvement, Liverpool must weigh whether Barcola’s ceiling justifies the price when options on the market include other ambitious wingers who could fit Iraola’s system and bridge the gap left by Salah’s exit.