Liverpool hit new stumbling block in chase for Mohamed Salah's successor | OneFootball

Mohamed Salah is probably going to be Liverpool's biggest-name departure this summer.

The Egyptian King still had a year left on his current contract but, since he had so many fallings-out with Arne Slot, he chose to cut his time with the Anfield outfit short.

Some fans have speculated that he could make a dramatic U-turn and stay with the club but, with the amount of money that the Saudi Pro League and the Turkish Super Lig are offering him, it's clear that's not going to happen.

This has led to Liverpool looking for a new right-winger and, while they have Jeremie Frimpong and Victor Munoz who can play there, it's clear that a marquee signing needs to be brought in.

Yan Diomande was expected to be this player but, since he's now chosen Paris Saint-Germain over Liverpool, Richard Hughes is having to explore the market for new ideas.

Many players have popped up as potential options but, Liverpool's pursuit for one of them has just hit a rather large stumbling block.

Paris Saint-Germain want to offer Bradley Barcola a new contract even if they sign Yan Diomande

If you asked any Liverpool fan who their option to replace Salah would be, they'd have probably said Diomande.

He can play on either wing and, since he's only 19 years old, he has plenty of time to grow into an even better player.

But, now that a deal for the Ivorian is off the table, Bradley Barcola has emerged as the Reds' preferred target.

Of course, he's naturally a left-winger so he wouldn't be a like-for-like replacement for Salah but, he has played a fair few games on the right and, with how often Luis Enrique's attackers change positions during games, he'd easily be able to fulfil that role for Liverpool.

However, a fresh report from BBC Sport has shared that a rather large bump in the road has emerged in Liverpool's pursuit of the Frenchman.

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"Liverpool are also known to admire France winger Bradley Barcola, although sources in Paris say PSG are keen to extend his contract," they wrote.

"The Reds signed Spain winger Victor Munoz for £34.5m from Osasuna this month, the first arrival since since Andoni Iraola replaced Arne Slot as head coach."

Bradley Barcola might not be the best option for Liverpool to pursue

On the face of things, a deal for Barcola makes a lot of sense.

The attacker is already unhappy with his playing time as he wasn't chosen to start against Arsenal in the Champions League final.

So, now that Diomande and potentially Maghnes Akliouche are about to join PSG, he could end up dropping even further down the pecking order.

This would be far from ideal for the Frenchman, especially since he's only 24 years old and should be starting almost every game at this point in his career.

But, since PSG are trying to build a super-team and have already raised over £60 million from the sale of Goncalo Ramos, they're under no pressure to move someone such as Barcola on.

This could mean that they end up demanding an extortionate fee which is one of the main things that was putting Liverpool's fanbase off about Diomande.

There's obviously no knowing what the future has in store but, when you look deeper into the deal, the lack of sense it makes becomes prominent.