Liverpool Edge Closer to Barcola Swoop as Salah Exit Looms

Liverpool are putting the finishing touches to a substantial package for Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, eyeing the French winger as their long-term successor to Mohamed Salah.

The Merseyside club have endured a frustrating campaign under Arne Slot, sitting 14 points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal as they attempt to mount a title defence. Recent form offered a glimmer of hope—four consecutive wins across all competitions—only for back-to-back draws against Leeds and Fulham to extinguish the momentum.

Transfer activity has loomed large in the background following Alexander Isak's serious December injury. Fabrizio Romano outlined Liverpool's exploratory approach, revealing the club had made enquiries about potential targets. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the transfer guru explained: "We will see how Alexander Isak injury impacts the market. My information is that Liverpool made some calls in terms of opportunities, like in November I told you about Semenyo. Now in this month they started calling for other players to understand some potential opportunities."

Romano added: "So, I would keep the door open for Liverpool movements in the January transfer window. We will try to understand the positions, the injuries and recovery times will also help to understand what Liverpool will decide to do. But I think there is a chance we will have a Liverpool 'Here We Go' in the January transfer window."

The Salah question has become increasingly pressing. After being benched in consecutive matches in early December, the Egyptian launched a pointed critique at both Liverpool and Slot. Speculation has intensified that his departure next summer is now a certainty, with tensions between player and manager apparently irreconcilable.

Barcola represents the obvious candidate to fill that void. L'Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi suggested the 22-year-old France international would become a hot topic come summer, telling ICI: "I think that Barcola will be a real topic next summer – to leave Paris Saint-Germain."

Spanish outlet Fichajes reports Liverpool are now "finalising a €100 million offer to convince PSG" to part with their prize asset. The Reds view Barcola as the cornerstone of an ambitious squad overhaul, with the club determined to restore their competitive standing.

Barcola himself is reportedly keen on a Premier League venture, drawn to Liverpool's direct, attacking football. That said, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi rarely makes life straightforward for departing stars, though the €100 million figure could prove sufficiently persuasive to unlock negotiations.