As the France national team competes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America from June 11 to July 19, all eyes are on the future of forward Bradley Barcola. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger, whose contract runs until June 2028, has emerged as a top target for Liverpool, who are seeking to revitalize their attacking lineup ahead of the upcoming season.
The departure of several forwards has left Liverpool with gaps to fill. While Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, Senny Mayulu, and Ousmane Dembélé are expected to remain at PSG, uncertainties persist around Gonçalo Ramos, Ibrahim Mbaye, Kang-in Lee, and Barcola. The latter has been on Liverpool’s radar for months, and the appointment of Victor Muñoz as the club’s new technical director is unlikely to dampen their interest.
Liverpool’s primary alternative: Yan Diomande
Liverpool is not limiting its options to Barcola alone. The club has also set its sights on Yan Diomande, a promising young winger who is also being scouted by Paris Saint-Germain. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international, playing for RB Leipzig, recently expressed his focus on the World Cup with his national team, stating, « I’m a Leipzig player, but why not? My agents will handle negotiations. Right now, my priority is the World Cup, which only comes around every four years. I’m fully committed to it, and we’ll see what happens after. »
Additional targets in Liverpool’s crosshairs
However, the steep price tag demanded by RB Leipzig—reportedly around €100 million—and stiff competition from PSG have prompted Liverpool to explore other avenues. Alongside Barcola and Diomande, the Reds are considering several other forwards, including Said El Mala (from 1. FC Köln), Yankuba Minteh (from Brighton & Hove Albion), and Matías Fernández-Pardo (from Lille).
