Liverpool have set their sights on Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola as their priority replacement for Mohamed Salah, but a deal has yet to be finalised. The 23-year-old France international remains the Reds' top target, with the club hoping to complete a blockbuster transfer before the summer window closes on September 1.
Transfer fee negotiations
The transfer fee for Barcola continues to be the stumbling block between PSG and Liverpool. The French champions had priced the 23-year-old at £145million, with the Reds reluctant to strike a deal at that inflated figure, reports the Mirror. This has resulted in Liverpool adopting a patient approach, hoping PSG's own transfer activity helps reduce the asking price to around the £120m mark.
The Ligue 1 champions have since completed the signings of Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts, weakening their resolve on retaining Barcola. French publication Jeunes Footeux [via Liverpool.com] suggests PSG have now slashed their valuation for Barcola, justifying the Reds' bold transfer strategy.
Potential gamble warning
However, journalist Ben Jacobs has warned on talkSPORT [via This Is Anfield] that the Premier League heavyweights could be gambling if they persist in attempting to delay any potential deal until the window's closing stages to pressure PSG into reducing their demands even further.
Ngumoha's role shift
Barcola's potential signing would see the France international occupy his preferred left-wing berth, meaning Rio Ngumoha would likely earn the majority of his minutes on the right flank, according to The Times. The 17-year-old represents the most probable option to fill Salah's boots, having operated on the right wing extensively throughout pre-season and started in that position during the club's final warm-up fixture against Como on Sunday.
Flexibility from wide players is something Iraola demands and previously enjoyed at Bournemouth, with the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara regularly utilised in varying positions. Ngumoha has acknowledged he's been honing his ability to adapt his approach on the opposite flank.
He said: "All the coaching staff are just telling me to play my normal game really, whether that's going inside or outside. I've been working on it in training anyway, playing on the right and the left. Just being unpredictable really."
