Liverpool are honing in on their No1 target.

Barring any last-minute hitches, Bradley Barcola will soon be confirmed as a Liverpool player. The Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes has wrapped up a deal worth up to £120m for the Paris Saint-Germain winger.

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Barcola will put pen to paper on a six-year deal at Anfield and is expected to lead a new attacking revolution for the team.

Liverpool Turned Down Barcola at £70m

Liverpool have been hesitant about PSG’s valuation all summer, but have ultimately succeeded in hammering the price down to an acceptable level.

Nevertheless, there is concern that the Merseyside club may have OVERPAID for the France international forward, and not by a small margin.

A report in the Daily Mail claims that Liverpool were given the chance to sign Barcola in summer 2025 for only £70m but chose not to pursue it.

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Liverpool Signed Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike Instead

Instead of Barcola, Liverpool opted for other attacking options, bringing in players like Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike. The report also states that the rise of Rio Ngumoha played a significant role in Liverpool’s decision to forgo the opportunity to sign Barcola.

“Barcola, as it goes, was a strong option this time last year,” the report notes.

“For a few days, Liverpool chiefs considered making a move for a man that would have cost just £70 million back then. Instead, they decided not to hinder the progress of teenager Rio Ngumoha.”

Ngumoha Emerges, Salah Departs

So what’s different now?

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Ngumoha has spent a year in the first team, impressing in a late-season cameo and earning an England call-up in the process. However, it appears Liverpool may not feel he is ready to lead the attack single-handedly down the left flank.

Additionally, there is also the issue of Mohamed Salah. Last summer, Salah enjoyed a successful season, winning the Premier League and several individual awards.

However, relations have deteriorated recently as Salah faced potential contract termination. This significantly impacted the Liverpool attack, given that the 34-year-old’s original contract was supposed to run until 2027.

With Liverpool’s needs evolving, PSG took swift action to secure a high fee for a player whose contract extends until 2028. Ultimately, the delay has cost Liverpool an additional £50m.

Let’s hope it works out.

Liverpool are honing in on their No1 target.

Barring any last-minute hitches Bradley Barcola will soon be confirmed as a Liverpool player. The Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes has wrapped up a deal worth up to £120m for the Paris Saint-Germain winger.

Advertisement

Barcola will put pen to paper on a six-year deal at Anfield – and will be expected to be the leader of a new attacking revolution.

Liverpool turned down Barcola at £70m

Liverpool have been baulking at PSG’s valuation all summer but have ultimately succeeded in hammering the price down to an acceptable level.

But there still remains the possibility that the Merseysiders have OVERPAID for the France international forward and not by a small amount either.

Because a report in the Daily Mail is claiming that Liverpool were offered the opportunity to sign Barcola in summer 2025 for only £70m but declined to follow through.

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Liverpool signed Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike instead

Other attackers were signed instead – including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. And the report is also claiming that the emergence of Rio Ngumoha was a key factor in Liverpool spurning the chance to sign Barcola.

“Barcola, as it goes, was a strong option this time last year,” the report reads.

“For a few days, Liverpool chiefs considered making a move for a man that would have cost just £70million back then.

“Instead, they did not want to block the progress of teenager Rio Ngumoha.”

Ngumoha emerges, Salah departs

So what’s changed?

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Ngumoha has had a year in the first team – impressing in a late-season cameo and earning an England call-up in the process. But perhaps Liverpool behind the scenes are not convinced he is yet ready to carry the threat all on his own down the left-hand side.

And there is also the issue of Mohamed Salah. All was rosy in the garden in summer 2025 – with Salah winning the Premier League and all the top individual awards.

Relations soured however with Salah facing up to an early contract termination. That blew a hole in the Liverpool attack since the 34-year-old was originally contracted until 2027.

Liverpool’s needs grew and PSG have taken decisive action in securing a top fee for a player contracted until 2028. The delay has ultimately cost Liverpool an extra £50m.

Let’s hope it works out.