Liverpool Targets Bradley Barcola as Salah Successor
Liverpool’s search for a new right-sided star after Mohamed Salah’s departure is starting to narrow, and one name sits in bold at the top of their list: Bradley Barcola.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger, still only 21, is at the centre of one of the summer’s fiercest transfer battles, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich all circling. According to reports, Liverpool are “in the driving seat” for the France international, who PSG value at around £100 million.
That is Salah-sized money. And it underlines the scale of the rebuild on Merseyside.
Liverpool’s Salah problem
Liverpool have not yet replaced Salah’s goals, his gravity, or his presence on that right flank. They cannot afford to get this one wrong.
Barcola offers a different profile. He is a live-wire left-footer who can play across the front line but has done some of his best work cutting in from wide areas, stretching defences and attacking full-backs one-on-one. For a Liverpool side shifting into a new era, he represents both a statement and a project.
The competition is real. Arsenal, who failed in their push for Morgan Rogers, have Barcola firmly on their radar as they look to deepen their attacking options. Bayern Munich are also in the frame, watching closely as PSG weigh up whether to cash in on a player they rate highly but know carries huge market value.
For now, Liverpool are pushing hardest. The question is whether they are prepared to hit the kind of fee PSG are said to want.
Arsenal’s wide-angle view: Diomande in focus
Barcola is not the only winger in Arsenal’s sights.
The club have made an enquiry for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, according to TalkSPORT. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international is one of the most coveted young wide players in Europe and has been heavily linked with a move to European champions PSG.
Diomande, though, is in no rush to leave Germany. He is under contract with Leipzig until June 2030, and the Bundesliga club are still hopeful they can convince him to stay at least another season. The player is believed to favour a move to France if he does go, which keeps PSG in a strong position, but Arsenal are not walking away.
Mikel Arteta wants more dynamism and depth in the wide areas. If Barcola proves too expensive and Diomande proves too attached to Leipzig or Paris, Arsenal may need a third route. For now, they remain in the conversation for both.
Chelsea move for Lacroix
At Stamford Bridge, the focus is on defence.
Chelsea are deep in negotiations with Crystal Palace over a deal for Maxence Lacroix, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that talks are ongoing and optimism is growing. Both clubs are said to be willing to find a solution, and the player is keen on the move.
Lacroix, fresh from making his World Cup debut with France and featuring in three of their eight games, has seen his stock rise sharply. Chelsea, who continue to reshape their back line, view him as a key piece for the next cycle. The final fee and structure remain to be agreed, but the intent is clear: they want him, and he wants them.
Liverpool’s second front: Akliouche on the radar
Liverpool are not limiting themselves to one attacking target.
Sky Sports News reports that the club have made an initial approach for AS Monaco attacker Maghnes Akliouche. The 24-year-old, who has been away with France at the World Cup, is expected to resolve his club future now the tournament is over.
PSG have already seen several bids for Akliouche turned down, which has opened a window. Liverpool have checked on his availability and could move if the Barcola chase stalls or if they decide they need more than one addition in the final third.
Akliouche offers versatility across the attacking midfield and wide roles. In a Liverpool squad that is being subtly reshaped, that flexibility carries weight.
Dortmund double down on youth
While the Premier League giants circle established and emerging stars, Borussia Dortmund are staying true to type.
Sky Germany reports that Dortmund have improved their offer for Genk wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas, with the total package now just over €30 million including add-ons. An agreement is not yet in place, but talks are moving “in the right direction” and Dortmund remain confident.
At 18, Karetsas fits the classic Dortmund mould: high ceiling, big potential resale value, and a pathway to regular minutes in the Bundesliga. They rarely miss in this market. Genk know that too, and are holding firm as they try to squeeze maximum value from one of their brightest talents.
The rest of the market: big names, big decisions
Across Europe, the dominoes are lining up.
Manchester United and Arsenal are locked in a battle for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott after Chelsea saw a bid rejected, according to the Daily Mirror. Newcastle United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix, setting up a Premier League tug-of-war for one of England’s most highly rated young midfielders.
Fulham are working to bring in Real Madrid striker Gonzalo García, with The Athletic reporting that his previous relationship with new manager Álvaro Arbeloa could prove decisive.
At Old Trafford, there is a different kind of negotiation. The Daily Express claims Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is ready to commit his future to the club, with talks over a new contract ongoing. For a side in flux, tying down their leader would be a significant signal of stability.
Arsenal, by contrast, are prepared to listen. TeamTalk reports that the club are willing to entertain offers for captain Martin Ødegaard, with an asking price of around £75 million. That figure alone tells you how highly they rate him – and how big any decision around his future would be.
Beşiktaş are trying to land Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock, who is entering the final year of his contract on Tyneside, according to The Telegraph. Roma have contacted Chelsea about defender Axel Disasi, with Footmercato reporting that the Blues are open to a sale at around €20 million.
Manchester City are ready to go big again. Nicolo Schira reports that City are prepared to offer Lille €90 million for midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, having already agreed personal terms with the player. It would be another huge investment in the centre of the pitch from the Premier League champions.
Elsewhere, Sky Germany says Bayer Leverkusen have an agreement to sign Hoffenheim right-back Luca Erlein for €2 million plus bonuses, a typically shrewd move from the Bundesliga champions. And in South America, Cesar Luis Merlo reports that River Plate have booked a medical for Ángel Correa after agreeing a €17 million package with Tigres.
The numbers are climbing, the names are getting bigger, and the stakes are rising by the day. Liverpool’s hunt for a Salah successor, Arsenal’s juggling act in attack and midfield, Chelsea’s defensive rebuild, City’s midfield splash – the shape of the season ahead is being drawn now, one deal at a time.
