Would Bradley Barcola Transfer Fix Liverpool’s Problems?

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 18: Bradley Barcola #12 of France reacts after the 4-6 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Stier - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Most Liverpool fans expected their club to have a big summer. This was certainly the case when Arne Slot was replaced by Andoni Iraola as manager following the end of the 2025/26 season. This was predicted to be the start of a transformational period for the Anfield club. So far, though, Iraola’s appointment has been a false start.

As things stand, Liverpool has made just two permanent signings this summer. One of those was a deal completed in February with Jeremy Jacquet only making the move to Merseyside once the transfer window opened. The other was for Victor Munoz, a winger most expect to be a depth option for the Reds.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds the fans following the pre-season match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday August 16, 2026. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

Ronald Araujo has joined on loan from Barcelona to give Iraola more depth in the defensive ranks. The Uruguayan fell down the pecking order at the Camp Nou and is hopeful that a switch to the Premier League will revitalise him. Araujo, however, isn’t a long-term addition for the Anfield club.

With less than two weeks of the summer transfer window left, it’s not clear what Liverpool will do. Bradley Barcola has been consistently mentioned as a target, but Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly demanding a Premier League-record fee to sell the French international in this window.

Barcola would be a blockbuster signing. He was an important member of the PSG team that has won the Champions League title in each of the last two seasons and featured for France during the 2026 World Cup. Barcola is proven at the elite level and would immediately become one of Liverpool’s most impactful players.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 14: Bradley Barcola of France controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah’s departure at the end of the 2025/26 season exposed Liverpool’s need for a new winger. The Reds were linked with Yan Diomande before Real Madrid won the race to sign the Ivorian winger who was one of the breakthrough stars of this summer’s World Cup. Liverpool missed out on Diomande.

Of course, Barcola predominantly plays on the left wing rather than the right like Salah. However, Iraola could reshape his forward line using Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak who haven’t had enough time on the pitch together to forge anything close to a strike partnership for Liverpool.

There are a lot of unanswered questions at Anfield right now. Iraola, however, has a squad full of talented players. Liverpool spent big a year ago and could still make good use of that talent this season with someone different at the helm. Barcola could be the next superstar added to the mix.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com