Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has identified the need to strengthen his squad on the right wing as the club prepares for the upcoming season. This admission comes amid the departure of Mohamed Salah, one of the club’s most influential players, and a current lack of experienced options in that position, with 19-year-old Kieran Morrison and 16-year-old Joshua Abe among the candidates filling the role during Liverpool’s pre-season tour in the United States.
The club is reportedly pursuing a high-profile target to fill this vacancy: 23-year-old French winger Bradley Barcola, currently at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Sources indicate that Liverpool are working on a potential transfer, although PSG’s asking price remains a significant obstacle. The French club is said to value Barcola at approximately £140 million, a figure that would surpass the British transfer record of £125 million, which Liverpool set last summer by signing Alexander Isak.
Barcola’s situation at PSG is reportedly complicated. The winger has stalled in contract negotiations and expressed a desire to leave, partly due to falling down the pecking order under PSG head coach Luis Enrique. During the latter stages of the Champions League, Enrique favored teammates Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the wings, limiting Barcola’s playing time.
Despite limited minutes, Barcola’s statistical output remains impressive. In Ligue 1 last season, he ranked just behind Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati for expected goals and assists per 90 minutes, reflecting his effectiveness as a creator on the field. Barcola featured for France in all eight matches at the recent World Cup, starting in half of those fixtures, and contributed three goals and one assist.
Barcola’s career trajectory has been steady rather than meteoric. Nicknamed “la sauterelle” (the grasshopper) for his agility and flair, he developed through the esteemed Lyon academy, a nurturing ground for players like Alexandre Lacazette, Rayan Cherki, and Karim Benzema. He joined Lyon’s youth ranks at age eight after being scouted at an indoor tournament with AS Buers Villeurbanne.
Raised in a football-oriented family, Barcola’s passion was influenced by his mother, a former player, and supported by his father, who encouraged specific training alongside his brother Malcolm, a goalkeeper who also played for Lyon. Barcola’s progression at Lyon was typical, with no accelerated promotion through age groups, according to former academy head Jean-Francois Vulliez.
His early professional career presented challenges. Under coach Laurent Blanc, Barcola struggled to secure first-team opportunities and reportedly lacked consistent effort in training, nearly resulting in a loan move in January 2023. However, his potential was recognized internally, and he eventually established himself as a promising talent within the squad.
As Liverpool seeks to replace one of its all-time greats, Barcola’s combination of youth, creativity, and pace has positioned him as a top candidate, although the financial hurdles and PSG’s reluctance to sell cheaply mean the negotiation process could be protracted. Meanwhile, Iraola’s direct and attacking style of play underscores the club’s urgency to fill the right-wing role with a player capable of matching the dynamism of his predecessor.