Liverpool are monitoring Lyon forward Bradley Barcola ahead of a potential move.
The Reds are set to have a busy summer, with midfield and defensive reinforcements very much needed. But according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, they could also be targeting a new attacker.
Writing on Twitter yesterday morning, the transfer expert claimed that Liverpool are tracking 20-year-old Barcola, who has had a breakout season in France.
“Many European clubs are tracking OL talented winger Bradley Barcola, born in 2002,” Romano reported. “Understand Liverpool are among teams monitoring his development with their scouts but the race is open.”
“Barcola has 7 goals and 4 assist with OL first team this season.”
Barcola makes a name for himself in France
Ahead of an enormous transfer window for Liverpool, the likes of Barcola shouldn’t be considered a priority.
He’s had an impressive season with Lyon, that should be said. But he wouldn’t necessarily look to be an improvement on what the Reds already have. The France U21 star is the same age as Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho, for example.
Still, Barcola would be a welcome addition nevertheless. According to his current manager – France legend Laurent Blanc – he’s a natural born goal scorer.
“He [Barcola] surprises me on a physical level. He doesn’t second-guess himself… he scores goals, even though he is not necessarily an out-and-out striker,” Blanc said recently via Ligue 1.
The World Cup winning defender also went out of his way to praise the youngster’s technical quality – and in particular his speed. “He can easily eliminate his opponents with his technical finesse and speed,” continued Blanc.
After a slow start to the season Barcola has recently forced his way into his manager’s starting XI. With five goals in his last eight games – including a winner against PSG – he’s a man in form. He shouldn’t be a priority for Liverpool this summer, but Romano has just made Barcola one to watch for Reds fans.