Why Liverpool want to sign £101m superstar

After Mohamed Salah’s departure from Liverpool at the end of last season, it’s been no secret that FSG are on the hunt to add needed depth and quality into the forward line.

Victor Munoz has already arrived at Anfield, but Andoni Iraola will no doubt be expecting added reinforcements to help him secure Premier League success next term.

Bradley Barcola has been constantly mentioned as one transfer target for the Reds, but PSG are said to be demanding over £100m to offload the French international.

However, that hasn’t deterred the Reds from stepping up their efforts, and reports have even claimed an £85m offer could be made for the 23-year-old in the days ahead.

What Iraola has said about Liverpool’s hunt for a new winger

After joining Liverpool following his departure from Bournemouth this summer, Iraola will no doubt have huge expectations on him to succeed on Merseyside in 2026/27 and beyond.

The Spaniard no doubt will be working with a higher calibre of player at Anfield, but that’s not to say he craves added reinforcements to bolster his senior ranks.

After travelling to the United States for the club’s pre-season tour, the 44-year-old met with the media and answered questions about his expectations for the upcoming campaign.

Iraola also acknowledged the ongoing hunt for new additions this summer – most specifically a winger – and stated: “It’s difficult to say a number when the market is open.

“You always have to be open to new options to improve the squad. We definitely need to sign a winger.”

Whilst he didn’t mention Barcola specifically in his press conference, it’s no secret that the Reds have been constantly monitoring the French star over a prolonged period.

However, despite seemingly being the club’s number one target in wide areas, other options are still being explored and could be pursued in the weeks ahead.

Liverpool’s dream Barcola alternative

Liverpool have previously demonstrated their ability to splash the cash in the transfer market, after forking out over £450m on new additions less than 12 months ago.

However, key areas of the squad are still in desperate need of improvement – as seen by the latest recruitment drive to bolster attacking areas of the pitch.

Countless players have been mentioned with a move to Anfield since Iraola’s appointment, but none quite as frequently as RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande.

It has been reported by TEAMtalk that the Reds have once again reached out to the player’s representatives over the possibility of a switch to Merseyside, holding fresh talks as they try to drive a move forward.

The report also states that the Ivorian still prefers a move to PSG this summer, but it hasn’t deterred Iraola’s attempt to secure a move for the 19-year-old winger.

The Bundesliga side are still demanding a small fortune to offload the attacking star this summer, having placed a £101m price tag above his head.

Despite the mammoth price tag, Diomande could prove to be a cheaper addition than Barcola – but also a higher quality signing in Liverpool’s hunt for success.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the recent campaign, the Leipzig star managed to better the Frenchman in countless key areas for an attacker.

Diomande ended the 2025/26 campaign with 20 combined goals and assists – a tally which Barcola could not match, as he only registered 12 goal contributions in Ligue 1.

The Ivorian also managed to complete a staggering 4.3 successful dribbles per 90 in the Bundesliga – subsequently registering over times more efforts than the PSG star.

Such a figure also placed the teenage sensation at the top of all forwards across Europe’s top-five leagues – backing up Bence Bocsak’s comment that he’s a “generational talent.”

Diomande’s tally of 0.6 big chances created highlights his ability to create endless key opportunities for those around him, something which Barcola simply doesn’t possess.

Alongside his impressive goalscoring tally, the Leipzig star also achieved a better conversion rate – undoubtedly making him a clinical option for Iraola’s men.

The player’s desire to join PSG this summer is no doubt a stumbling block to negotiations, but you simply can’t fault the hierarchy’s efforts to land such an impressive talent.

There’s no denying Barcola would be a superb addition for the Reds, but Diomande is a player who is a level above and would hand the side a greater chance of achieving success in 2026/27.