Top News

Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola remains at the top of Liverpool's shortlist, but the club are prepared to explore other targets.

Liverpool have started assessing alternatives to Bradley Barcola after their opening talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a possible transfer failed to produce any progress.

The Reds want to strengthen out wide following Mohamed Salah's exit earlier this summer, while new signing Victor Munoz is still yet to prove himself at the very highest level.

With that in mind, Liverpool made a €100m (£85.6m) approach to Paris Saint-Germain, only to be informed that they would have to pay close to double that amount if they want to sign the France international.

Even so, Liverpool's first offer still represents a significant sum, even for a club with the financial strength of Paris Saint-Germain, especially for a player who has moved in and out of the side over the years.

Barcola was part of the Paris Saint-Germain squad that won successive Champions League titles this year and last year, but he did not start either final. Luis Enrique instead chose Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 5-0 win over Inter in 2025 and in the penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in May.

Liverpool are now understood to be testing Paris Saint-Germain's resolve by quietly making it known that they are weighing up options elsewhere.

The Guardian reported last week that Liverpool were determined to make Barcola their 'statement signing of the summer'.

However, later reports have indicated that Paris Saint-Germain want a fee in the region of £140m-£145m before they would consider allowing Barcola to leave.

Caught Offside say Liverpool already have a number of possible alternatives in mind, including Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo.

Bournemouth's Rayan has also been mentioned as a potential option. The 20-year-old Brazil international joined the Vitality Stadium club to play under Iraola in January and made an instant impact, registering five goals and two assists in 15 Premier League appearances.

The complication there is that Rayan cost Bournemouth £24.7m in January, and the club now reportedly value him at several times that amount.

Rayan is believed to have an £85m release clause in his contract, although it has been suggested that it will not become active until next year, giving Bournemouth the upper hand in negotiations for now.

Although it would clearly make sense for Liverpool to examine other possibilities if they believe a move for Barcola may prove impossible, it is equally possible that their apparent readiness to move away from the Frenchman is a tactic aimed at drawing Paris Saint-Germain back into talks and helping both sides reach an acceptable middle ground.