It is an open secret that Liverpool would like to sign RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande to bolster Andoni Iraola‘s attacking options in the summer transfer window.
The Reds have already reportedly seen an offer of around £87m turned down for the 19-year-old talent, who they have identified as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah. No pressure!
It has recently been claimed that the Premier League side are preparing to make a second attempt to agree a deal with the Bundesliga side, in a move that could end up costing north of £100m.
The teenage forward is currently playing for the Ivory Coast at the World Cup, having started both of their group stage matches so far, and that could slow down a possible deal as he concentrates on the tournament.
Diomande did not deliver a goal or an assist in the games against Ecuador or Germany, but he did complete eight successful dribbles and created seven chances for his teammates in total.
Liverpool could accelerate move for Yan Diomande alternative
The Ivorian star had a breakthrough campaign at club level with Leipzig in the 2025/26 season, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.
Diomande is not the only wide player on the club’s radar, though, and they are eyeing a star who could be an even better option for Iraola next term.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are interested in a deal to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Reds are ready to accelerate a move to bring the France international to Anfield if they are unable to strike an agreement with Leipzig for Diomande.
It adds that the PSG forward is high up on their list of targets if a move for the Leipzig ace falls through, and that they could be set to pursue him in the coming weeks.
Football Insider does not reveal how much PSG would demand for the winger, but it has been reported elsewhere that it could take a fee of at least £69m to secure his services.
Why Bradley Barcola would be better than Yan Diomande for Liverpool
Instead of pushing to sign Diomande for more than £100m, paying around £69m for Barcola could be a better piece of business for the Reds this summer.
On the evidence currently available at first-team level, the French star looks like he would be an even better and more effective performer on the left flank for Iraola, as he has proven himself over multiple seasons and in European competitions.
Diomande has never played a game in the Europa League or Champions League in his career, whilst Barcola won the Champions League last season and the season before that.
|
Barcola (CL) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
17 |
16 |
|
Goals |
3 |
2 |
|
Goals |
6 |
3 |
|
xA |
3.31 |
1.91 |
|
Assists |
4 |
4 |
|
Successful dribbles per game |
1.7 |
1.1 |
The 23-year-old wing wizard racked up nine goals and eight assists in 33 games in the competition across those two seasons, helping his side to lift the trophy twice.
Barcola, described as “one of the best left-wingers in Europe” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions last season, and 21 goals and 18 assists in the 2024/25 campaign.
The Reds target has, therefore, shown that he can offer consistent quality at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals for his team, both domestically and in Europe.
Diomande, meanwhile, is coming off the back of his first full season at senior level and he has yet to prove that he can hit the heights that Barcola did in the 2024/25 season, or that he can perform consistently in the Champions League.
The PSG forward has also already scored a goal at the World Cup, netting for France in his only appearance so far against Senegal, and Diomande is still waiting for his first major tournament strike.
Barcola would arrive at Anfield with less risk attached to him because he has a larger body of evidence to suggest that he would be a star for Iraola, thanks to his form for PSG in recent seasons at the very top level.
That is why the Reds would be better off going for the French star instead of splashing out over £100m on Diomande, as he could be a more effective and consistent attacking option off the left flank.
He’s another Szoboszlai: Liverpool hold talks to sign £52m World Cup star
Liverpool have shortlisted a new midfield target as the Andoni Iraola era aims to liftoff.
