Liverpool Targeting Bradley Barcola as Bayern Munich Steps Aside

Liverpool’s search for the heir to Mohamed Salah has narrowed to one name: Bradley Barcola. And this time, there is no heavyweight tug-of-war with Bayern Munich to complicate the picture.

The Premier League club have already brought in one wide player this summer, snapping up Spain international Victor Munoz from Osasuna. That deal, though, was never meant to close the book on their wing recruitment. Salah’s departure at the end of last season left a glaring vacancy at the top of the attack, and Liverpool always knew they would need a marquee wide forward to fill it.

For weeks, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande sat at the top of that wishlist. Liverpool even went as far as submitting a bid. Then Real Madrid arrived. The German club’s attacking jewel is now expected to head for the Bernabeu, forcing Liverpool to pivot quickly and decisively.

Barcola keen, Liverpool convinced – but PSG hold the key

Bradley Barcola has emerged as Liverpool’s leading target, fuelled by growing noise that the Paris Saint-Germain winger is unwilling to sign a new contract at the Parc des Princes and is eager to move to Anfield.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano outlined the state of play on Friday. Talks are active between Liverpool, PSG and the player’s camp, with one issue towering above the rest.

The fee.

On the player side, there is no battle to be fought. Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block, and the project on offer on Merseyside has been clearly sold. Barcola, Romano reports, is “very keen” on Liverpool and excited by the prospect of joining the club.

The real work lies in Paris. Liverpool will have to commit to a significant outlay to persuade PSG to sell, and the Premier League side are now weighing how far they are prepared to go. A bid will come, Romano insists, and an agreement with the player will follow. The negotiation that matters is with PSG.

Nothing is described as imminent. Talk of a bid being “prepared” misses the real tension: the French champions are under no pressure to rush. They have already lost several attacking players and are still juggling other transfer business. Before sanctioning another high-profile departure, they want replacements in place and a clear picture of their forward line for the new season.

Until that happens, Liverpool wait. But they wait with a clear plan and a willing player.

Bayern watching, but not bidding

The one club that might usually be expected to step into this kind of market – Bayern Munich – will not be doing so this summer.

Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk, writing on his own platform, confirmed that Bayern are monitoring the potential transfer closely. The Bundesliga giants have tracked Barcola for the past two summers and stayed in regular contact with his representatives. He remains on their shortlist and, once again this year, they checked in to gauge his feelings about the future, with his current PSG deal running to 2028 and no extension talks under way.

That contractual standstill means Barcola’s price is softening year by year. Just not enough for Bayern right now.

According to Falk, the left-sided winger is simply too expensive for the German champions this summer. Liverpool, he notes, do not share that problem and are “closer to this deal” at a time when their need for a player of Barcola’s profile has sharpened with Diomande poised for Real Madrid.

Bayern’s interest is more strategic and long-term. Their thinking stretches to Michael Olise. The Frenchman is staying put this year, but his longer-term future is less clear. Should Bayern be forced to sell Olise down the line, Barcola is viewed as the number one option to replace him.

That is where the timelines collide. If Liverpool complete the move now, Falk is blunt: there is “no chance” for Bayern. Their window opens only if Barcola remains in Paris for another season.

For Liverpool, that is the point. They are not planning to wait.