Liverpool crank up pursuit of PSG’s Bradley Barcola as Pearce signals green light

Liverpool are turning the heat up on their chase for Paris Saint-Germain flier Bradley Barcola, with respected reporter James Pearce indicating the Frenchman sits right near the top of the Reds’ shopping list. With the clock ticking towards opening day, this is the kind of ambitious swing that could re-energise Anfield.

The state of play at Anfield

Andoni Iraola has made no secret of wanting more bodies in the door. Thus far, Victor Munoz is the solitary addition, but Liverpool need greater depth and quality after a flat 2025–26 campaign. Champions League football is still in the diary, yet finishing 25 points off champions Arsenal underlined how much work there is to do.

Replacing Salah: the big call on the right

With Mohamed Salah gone, the right flank is the glaring vacancy. Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong can operate there, but neither is the obvious, long-term, left-to-right inverted match-winner in Salah’s mould. Finding a ready-made difference-maker is priority number one.

What Pearce is hearing about Barcola

Pearce, speaking on GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast, described Barcola as sitting very high on Liverpool’s list. The deal won’t be simple: PSG must agree to an exit and set a palatable price, and there’s competition—Arsenal among those sniffing around. Costly and complex, yes, but the upside is clear enough to make Liverpool push.

Romano’s read and the PSG domino effect

Fabrizio Romano has consistently maintained Barcola is Liverpool’s preferred target after a failed attempt to land Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. He’s also indicated Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche is more likely bound for PSG, with talks ongoing. Should PSG seal Akliouche—and Diomande too—that could be the nudge that frees Barcola to move.

Why Barcola fits what Iraola wants

Barcola showcased his quality on the biggest stage at the 2026 World Cup, bagging three goals for France. He’s rapid, direct and thrives one-v-one—traits Liverpool have missed on the right since Salah’s departure. Add Champions League experience with PSG and you’ve got a winger who looks capable of hitting the ground running at Anfield.

If you’re tracking the market mood around Liverpool’s next big move, our best betting sites guide is a handy companion to the rumour mill. Liverpool’s recruitment drive is far from over, and the odds will swing if PSG start green-lighting exits.

The bottom line

There’s a month until the Premier League curtain-raiser and under six weeks left in the window—plenty of time for a marquee signing, but not enough to dither. Barcola would be a statement answer to the Salah question. If Liverpool can prise him from PSG, Iraola’s right side immediately looks formidable; if not, the Reds will need to pivot fast to a Plan B of similar calibre.