Liverpool have seemingly made a decision about their Mohamed Salah replacement as they look to complete a blockbuster transfer before the summer window closes
Liverpool are yet to sign a Mohamed Salah replacement as the new Premier League season approaches but have Bradley Barcola firmly in their sights.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger and France international, 23, remains the Reds’ top priority, but a deal to capture his services has still to be finalised. Andoni Iraola will be hoping he can wrap up additional signings before the window closes on September 1, as his Liverpool squad currently looks short on attacking options.
Iraola is set for a tricky first test as manager of England’s most successful football club on Sunday, when the Reds travel away to face Newcastle United and the former Bournemouth boss will be hoping to get off to a flying start with three points. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
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Barcola gamble
The transfer fee for Barcola continues to be the stumbling block between PSG and Liverpool, it has been suggested.
The French champions had priced the 23-year-old at a whopping £145million, with the Reds reluctant to strike a deal at that inflated figure, reports the Mirror.
This has resulted in Liverpool adopting somewhat of a patient approach, hoping PSG’s own transfer activity helps reduce the asking price for the Frenchman to around the £120m mark.
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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.
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 switch
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 Reds are yet to bring in Mohamed Salah’s replacement this summer, though it’s suggested the 17-year-old represents the most probable option to fill the Egyptian’s boots.
Ngumoha has operated on the right wing extensively throughout pre-season and was handed a starting role 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.”