Journalist: There’s a ‘big chance’ Liverpool move for 13-goal forward | OneFootball

Liverpool Could Turn to Bradley Barcola After Yan Diomande Blow

Liverpool’s summer search for a right-sided attacker has taken a sharp turn after Yan Diomande indicated his preference for PSG over a move to Anfield. On Anfield Index’s Media Matters, Dave Davis and David Lynch discussed what comes next for Liverpool, with Bradley Barcola emerging as the obvious name to watch.

David Lynch made clear that Liverpool’s disappointment over Diomande was genuine.

“They really did. They’ve done a lot of leg work over a long time to try and line this one up for this summer and been unable to get him.”

Yet Lynch also insisted Liverpool had to attempt the deal.

“You have to try. I think particularly if you’ve got a vacancy on the right wing as Liverpool do, you have to go for it.”

That vacancy now remains, and the question becomes whether Liverpool move quickly for Barcola, who scored 13 goals across all competitions last season.

Bradley Barcola becomes the next major name

Dave Davis framed the shift perfectly, noting that after missing out on their leading right-wing target, Liverpool’s focus had quickly moved to “someone who plays on the left with an occasional spirit in the middle as well.”

He then referenced reports around Barcola, saying he had been described as “a strong alternative for Liverpool to Diomande” and “always been high on their wish list.”

Lynch was emphatic about the PSG forward’s future.

“What you can say with real confidence at this point is he will 100% leave PSG.”

He pointed to the depth of PSG’s attacking options, saying Barcola now has too many players ahead of him.

“Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, they’ve got an awful lot of options before you get to Barcola now.”

For Liverpool, that creates an opportunity. Lynch said he had been “mentioning him for months as someone they like,” and even wondered whether Liverpool could have looked at Barcola alongside Diomande if Cody Gakpo had been sold.

Liverpool may prioritise talent over perfect fit

The complication is positional. Barcola prefers the left, while Liverpool’s most obvious vacancy is on the right. Lynch acknowledged that point directly.

“He does prefer the left. He can play on the right. He has played on the right.”

Still, Lynch believes Liverpool’s situation may force them to prioritise quality over the cleanest tactical fit.

“I think Barcola is just easily better than any of them.”

He added that Liverpool may not be in a position to be overly selective.

“I don’t think it’s a case of, okay, we go for the player who’s the best fit necessarily tactically. I think you just have to sign the best possible player.”

That is where Barcola becomes significant. Lynch ranked Diomande as the clear first choice among available wingers, but placed Barcola firmly next.

“Diomande was number one without question the best. I think Barcola is a decent second.”

Liverpool urged to move quickly

Lynch’s verdict was clear. If Barcola is available, Liverpool should act.

“I think it’s someone that Liverpool should be pouring absolutely everything into going after.”

He also warned that rival interest could complicate matters.

“There’s interest in him from other clubs that makes it tricky and so they probably got to move quick.”

Even so, Lynch believes Liverpool are well placed if they decide to accelerate.

“I think Liverpool are very attractive. I think they’ve liked him a while so they’ll have done a lot of ground work on him.”

Photo: IMAGO

The strongest line came when Lynch assessed what could happen next.

“A big chance I’d say that they go for Barcola now and that interest we’ve talked about for a long time becomes something massively concrete.”

There are no guarantees, and PSG still have their own role to play. Yet after Diomande’s decision, Barcola now looks like the most compelling attacking alternative on Liverpool’s list.

As Lynch put it, “I’d be amazed if they don’t to be honest.”