{"id":48125,"date":"2026-06-02T22:32:33","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T02:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/06\/02\/87m-superstar-is-liverpools-priority-target\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T22:32:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T02:32:33","slug":"87m-superstar-is-liverpools-priority-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/06\/02\/87m-superstar-is-liverpools-priority-target\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a387m &#8216;superstar&#8217; is Liverpool&#8217;s priority target"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/06\/02\/87m-superstar-is-liverpools-priority-target\/#Liverpool_prioritize_Diomand_replacement_as_target\" >Liverpool prioritize Diomand replacement as target<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/06\/02\/87m-superstar-is-liverpools-priority-target\/#Why_Barcola_is_better_than_Diaz_and_Diomande\" >Why Barcola is better than Diaz and Diomande<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/06\/02\/87m-superstar-is-liverpools-priority-target\/#Hes_better_than_Diomande_Liverpool_hold_talks_to_sign_%E2%80%98superstar_for_130m\" >He&#8217;s better than Diomande: Liverpool hold talks to sign &#8216;superstar&#8217; for \u00a3130m<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>It was the Andoni Iraola era at Liverpool. The Spanish manager is set to replace Arne Slott at Anfield following FSG&#8217;s difficult decision to sack the player who led the club to the Premier League title just 13 months ago.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>But a lot has changed on Merseyside since then, with Liverpool just finishing fifth and qualifying for the Champions League. It wasn&#8217;t enough, and after falling off the train too much, there was writing on the wall of the slot.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"3\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Arne Slott&#8217;s Premier League results with Liverpool<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>24\/25<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>#<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>25\/26<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>38<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>match<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>38<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>twenty five<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>victory<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>draw<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>loss<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>86:41<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>GF\/GA<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>63:53<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>84<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>point<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>60<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>PPM<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1.58<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>Iraola, 43, has done a fantastic job in the Premier League with Bournemouth, turning what was considered a pragmatic side into one of England&#8217;s most progressive and entertaining sides. They finished 7th this season, qualifying for Europe for the first time in the club&#8217;s history.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>    Liverpool&#8217;s top target is Yann Diomande, but who else could join the Anfield side?<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"liverpool-make-diomande-alternative-a-priority-target\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Liverpool_prioritize_Diomand_replacement_as_target\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Liverpool prioritize Diomand replacement as target<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Diomande, 19, enjoys considerable support after an exemplary year with RB Leipzig, having joined from Spanish side Leganes last summer.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>A suitor this summer will cost around \u00a387m, with Liverpool also joined by Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the race.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u00a365.5m last summer.<\/p>\n<p>PSG&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>    The 23-year-old, who is worth \u00a387m, is one of the world&#8217;s most talented up-and-coming wingers, playing on the left but also comfortable playing anywhere up front.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, Barcola may be the best of Diaz and Diomande.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-barcola-is-the-best-of-diaz-and-diomande\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Barcola_is_better_than_Diaz_and_Diomande\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Why Barcola is better than Diaz and Diomande<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Over the past two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcola has scored 34 goals and provided 28 assists, dominating the left flank.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>In that respect, he shares similarities with Diomande and Dias, both of whom are among the Bundesliga&#8217;s most explosive wingers. He&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, Barcola, described by one Liverpool reporter as a &#8220;superstar&#8221;, is comfortable playing in a variety of positions. It&#8217;s something Slott values \u200b\u200bas 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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"3\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Bradley Barcola&#8217;s career by position<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>position<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>app<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Goal + Assist<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>left wing<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>114<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>32 + 32<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>right wing<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>37<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>7+15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>center forward<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>twenty two<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>9+2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>Already considered by analyst and scout Ben Mattinson to be &#8216;one of the best wingers in the world&#8217;, Barcola would be a great addition to Liverpool&#8217;s left wing. With Ekitike sidelined, Gakpo may feature as a striker next season, but the talented 17-year-old Rio Ngmoha&#8217;s game time will need to be managed carefully.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>    Diomande would be an exciting addition, but Barcola has just as much potential, if not more.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"better-than-diomande-liverpool-hold-talks-for-vinicius-junior\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hes_better_than_Diomande_Liverpool_hold_talks_to_sign_%E2%80%98superstar_for_130m\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tHe&#8217;s better than Diomande: Liverpool hold talks to sign &#8216;superstar&#8217; for \u00a3130m<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Liverpool are hoping to sign several top-class wingers in the summer transfer window. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It was the Andoni Iraola era at Liverpool. The Spanish manager is set to replace Arne Slott at Anfield following FSG&#8217;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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46520,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[6618,40,609,1138,611,1250],"class_list":["post-48125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-87m","tag-football","tag-liverpools","tag-priority","tag-superstar","tag-target"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48125"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48125\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46520"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}