£87m ‘superstar’ is Liverpool’s priority target

It was the Andoni Iraola era at Liverpool. The Spanish manager is set to replace Arne Slott at Anfield following FSG’s difficult decision to sack the player who led the club to the Premier League title just 13 months ago.

But a lot has changed on Merseyside since then, with Liverpool just finishing fifth and qualifying for the Champions League. It wasn’t enough, and after falling off the train too much, there was writing on the wall of the slot.

Iraola, 43, has done a fantastic job in the Premier League with Bournemouth, turning what was considered a pragmatic side into one of England’s most progressive and entertaining sides. They finished 7th this season, qualifying for Europe for the first time in the club’s history.

Mohamed Salah left the club a year ahead of schedule and Hugo Ekitike is not expected to play any time soon as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Liverpool’s top target is Yann Diomande, but who else could join the Anfield side?

Liverpool prioritize Diomand replacement as target

Diomande, 19, enjoys considerable support after an exemplary year with RB Leipzig, having joined from Spanish side Leganes last summer.

The Ivorian winger has scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists this term, showing off his world-class potential as he is extremely quick and physical.

A suitor this summer will cost around £87m, with Liverpool also joined by Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the race.

Liverpool need some wingers this summer. Kodi Gakpo remains on the left flank, while Luis Dias has not been replaced since being sold to Bayern for £65.5m last summer.

PSG’s Bradley Barcola could be the perfect replacement if Liverpool decide to go their separate ways. According to ESPN, the France international has emerged as a priority target for FSG, with suggestions that a deal could be finalized following a contract impasse in Paris.

The 23-year-old, who is worth £87m, is one of the world’s most talented up-and-coming wingers, playing on the left but also comfortable playing anywhere up front.

It is unlikely that Liverpool will sign both him and Diomand this summer, but signing the French attacker would not be bad news for a side looking to make a comeback to title contention.

In the end, Barcola may be the best of Diaz and Diomande.

Why Barcola is better than Diaz and Diomande

Over the past two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcola has scored 34 goals and provided 28 assists, dominating the left flank.

At 6ft tall, he is unusual in that he brings a brutal dribbling style to his side, allowing him to outmaneuver the toughest defenders and score goals.

In that respect, he shares similarities with Diomande and Dias, both of whom are among the Bundesliga’s most explosive wingers. He’s also conservative when it comes to carrying the ball forward and picking it forward, but he knows that it can rush forward at any time, like a ticking time bomb.

Moreover, Barcola, described by one Liverpool reporter as a “superstar”, is comfortable playing in a variety of positions. It’s something Slott values ​​as a forward (see how Dias performed as an unconventional frontman in 2024/25) and something Iraola loves in his attacking line-up, using Antoine Semenho on both wings and in the central batting seat during their time together at the Vitality Stadium.

Already considered by analyst and scout Ben Mattinson to be ‘one of the best wingers in the world’, Barcola would be a great addition to Liverpool’s left wing. With Ekitike sidelined, Gakpo may feature as a striker next season, but the talented 17-year-old Rio Ngmoha’s game time will need to be managed carefully.

Liverpool are in a period of transition, but Iraola has blossomed in the Premier League and bringing a strong, tenacious forward like Barcola to the club could ensure his high-octane system fires on all cylinders from the start.

Diomande would be an exciting addition, but Barcola has just as much potential, if not more.