Liverpool are exploring alternatives to Bradley Barcola after their initial approach to Paris Saint-Germain failed to produce any meaningful dialogue, with the French club demanding close to double the fee Liverpool put on the table.
The Reds entered negotiations with a €100 million (£85.6m) opening offer, only for PSG to indicate they would require somewhere between £140m and £145m before considering any sale. The gulf between the two positions has prompted Liverpool to quietly signal that they are prepared to pursue other targets.
The search for a Salah replacement
The need for a wide attacker has become pressing since Mohamed Salah's departure from Anfield earlier this summer. New signing Victor Munoz is yet to prove himself at the highest level, leaving the club with a clear gap on the right flank.
Barcola remains the primary target — The Guardian reported last week that Liverpool viewed him as their statement signing of the summer — but PSG's lofty valuation has forced the club to cast a wider net.
Barcola's standing at PSG
The France international was part of the PSG squad that claimed back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles in 2024 and 2025, though he did not start either final. Manager Luis Enrique chose Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the 5-0 victory over Inter in 2025, and selected the same pair for the penalty shootout win over Arsenal in May.
Despite that, PSG are in no mood to accept a fee they consider below market value, and Liverpool's opening bid — while substantial — has not moved them.
Names in the frame
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have already drawn up a list of potential replacements. Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo have both been identified as options.
Bournemouth's Rayan has also attracted attention. The 20-year-old Brazil international arrived at the Vitality Stadium in January under manager Andoni Iraola and made a swift impact, scoring five goals and adding two assists in 15 Premier League appearances. That form has led Bournemouth to value him far above the £24.7m they paid for him six months ago.
Rayan is reported to hold an £85m release clause in his contract, though it is understood that the clause does not activate until next year — an advantage Bournemouth currently hold in any negotiations.
Tactics or genuine pivot?
Liverpool's willingness to look elsewhere may be exactly what it appears — a recognition that PSG's asking price is unrealistic. Equally, signalling openness to other targets could be a calculated attempt to draw PSG back to the negotiating table and push them toward a more acceptable figure. The coming weeks will reveal which it is.
