Liverpool have been urged to make Bradley Barcola their primary transfer target after losing out on Yan Diomande, who has reportedly set his heart on joining Paris Saint-Germain. Former Reds striker Emile Heskey believes the 23-year-old PSG winger could restore the attacking threat lost since Mohamed Salah's departure.
Diomande Chooses PSG Over Liverpool
Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old RB Leipzig forward, has reportedly expressed his desire to move to Paris Saint-Germain following an impressive season in the Bundesliga. Liverpool had identified the Ivory Coast international as a top target and were prepared to bid up to £86 million to secure his signature, despite Leipzig's reluctance to sell. Diomande is currently representing Ivory Coast at the ongoing World Cup, but his preference for PSG has forced Liverpool to explore alternative options.
Heskey Backs Barcola as Ideal Replacement
Among the shortlisted alternatives is PSG winger Bradley Barcola, a France international who has seen his playing time reduce in recent months. Barcola started only sporadically for PSG in the closing weeks of last season and was not in the starting XI for any Champions League match from the quarter-finals onwards. This has fuelled speculation that he could be allowed to leave the Parc des Princes this summer.
Speaking on the WhoScored podcast The State of Play, Emile Heskey said: "I know they were looking at Diomande. I think that left wing, we've been so spoiled with (Sadio) Mane for so long. Then you bring in (Luis) Diaz, and it hasn't quite got to that level again. So, I think one of those two (Diomande and Barcola) would take us back to that level. If I had to choose one, it would be Barcola."
Barcola's Profile and Potential Move
Barcola, 23, is currently at the World Cup with France and could be available for a transfer this summer. Arsenal are among the clubs reportedly interested in the winger, who has struggled for consistent minutes at PSG. Heskey's endorsement adds weight to the argument that Barcola could be the dynamic wide player Liverpool need to fill the void left by Salah's exit.
