Since the start of the World Cup, there have not been many bigger Ivory Coast fans than those watching on from Anfield.
Liverpool fans set their sights on Yan Diomande as rumours arrived over the Reds’ big-money pursuit. He, in their minds, was to be the next big star on Merseyside.
The problem is that it’s not just Liverpool who have been watching on, however, and Paris Saint-Germain’s presence is set to prove decisive.
As confirmed by David Ornstein, the French giants have gained the advantage and are in pole position to sign Diomande, who also wants the move – leaving Liverpool to scramble towards alternatives.
Alas, that’s where Bradley Barcola comes in. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Frenchman is high on the Reds’ list of alternatives and is one to watch in the coming months.
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Bradley Barcola (PSG)
Barcola’s name threatened the steal the headlines as soon as Ornstein revealed that PSG are leading the race to sign Diomande. He has been on Liverpool’s radar for quite some time and Romano has now shared a fresh update on their potential move this summer.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the transfer specialist went directly against French sources and claimed that the situation is still open in the market.
“Don’t forget that Barcola is a player that Liverpool wanted in summer 2025 and remains on Liverpool’s list for summer 2026. And that remains my position. Barcola remains a name for Liverpool.
“Paris Saint-Germain are yet to give the green light to his exit for this summer, but I told you many times there is movement around Bradley Barcola. I know in France, sources are saying he’s not leaving PSG. My information is that the situation around Bradley Barcola still remains open.”
Barcola, still just 23 years old, has already scored and assisted at the World Cup having come off the back of a 13-goal season for PSG. For the right price, there’s no reason why he can’t be an excellent Diomande alternative.
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Matias Fernandez-Pardo (LOSC Lille)
The criteria for wingers at Anfield this summer is speed. It’s why Dioamande has been Liverpool’s top target and why reports have also mentioned Matias Fernandez-Pardo. The LOSC Lille winger, at his quickest, would be the fastest player in Premier League history and he’s also got the end product to match.
After scoring eight goals and assisting another seven in all competitions last season, the 21-year-old is clearly full of potential and would likely cost far less than RB Leipzig are demanding for Diomande this summer.
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Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)
For the impressive traits that other targets on Liverpool’s radar have, what they lack is Premier League experience. Yabkuba Minteh doesn’t. He’s shown plenty of glimpses of his pure talent at Brighton & Hove Albion, entering Liverpool’s radar over the last 12 months as a result.
The 21-year-old still needs to add end product to his game, but the underlying numbers suggest that he is a player just waiting to explode into life.
|
PL most successful take-ons (25/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Jeremie Doku (Man City) |
77 |
|
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) |
70 |
|
Yankuba Minteh (Brighton) |
64 |
|
Jarrod Bown (West Ham) |
53 |
|
Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham) |
51 |
Just last season, only two players completed more take-ons than Minteh in the Premier League and they were Iliman Nidaye and Jeremie Doku. Away from end product, that’s the key metric that Liverpool should focus on this summer.
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Francisco Conceicao (Juventus)
If Liverpool are looking for a big name, then Francisco Conceicao will become an incredibly interesting option. He’s just endured a frustrating campaign at Juventus, but that shouldn’t deter the Reds completely. After all, the Turin giants had a season to forget as a collective.
The 23-year-old was still in the top 95% for take-ons completed in Italy last season and with better quality around him, that could have led to a better output than four goals and five assists.
Why Liverpool must sign “unstoppable” £43m winger after Diomande setback
Liverpool are looking to add even more firepower to Andoni Iraola’s frontline this summer.
There’s plenty of risk involved in signing Conceicao after such a disappointing campaign, but it wasn’t so long ago that Liverpool were plucking another winger from the Serie A.
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Said El Mala (FC Koln)
If Liverpool are to miss out on one Bundesliga star, then they may well go for another. Reports have claimed that Said El Mala is very much on their list of alternative options this summer and it’s easy to see why. The 19-year-old just enjoyed an excellent season at FC Koln.
Like Minteh, he’s also not shy when it comes to completing take-ons. Just eight players completed more in the Bundesliga last season and El Mala even had the end product to match – scoring 13 goals and assisting another five.
On paper, he is as impressive as Minteh one-on-one whilst also prodiving plenty more in front of goal. At the right price, El Mala could be Liverpool’s man.
