Liverpool’s search for Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor has taken on fresh urgency, and hindsight is beginning to shape the narrative around missed opportunities.
One of the most intriguing is Bradley Barcola, the Paris Saint-Germain winger who was briefly offered to the Reds last summer.
With Salah entering the twilight of his Liverpool career, questions are now being asked about whether the Reds were too cautious in passing up the chance to secure a ready-made elite replacement.
Which players should Liverpool target to replace Mohamed Salah this summer? 🤔
A seven-man shortlist has already been reported:
- Desire Doue
- Bradley Barcola
- Nico Williams
- Yan Diomande
- Anthony Gordon
- Jarrod Bowen
- Michael Olise
Why Liverpool passed on Barcola—and why it matters now
Liverpool’s decision not to pursue Barcola last summer was not down to a lack of admiration, but rather a strategic call aimed at furthering the development of Rio Ngumoha.
According to journalist Lewis Steele, a move for the 23-year-old was ‘a bit more advanced’ than other options, such as Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, with Liverpool even offered the chance to sign him last August. However, the Reds ultimately stepped back, with Ngumoha a big reason for that.
“Barcola was sort of a ‘maybe’ for a couple of days,” Steele tells Anfield Index. “Liverpool decided not to because they didn’t want to block Ngumoha’s pathway.”
“Whether that was right or wrong, I think they regret not hiring a Luis Diaz replacement to be honest. That’s been one of the big issues of the season.”
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The club also explored alternatives, with Steele noting that interest in Antoine Semenyo – and belief that Liverpool could have triggered his release clause from Bournemouth – may have played a part in them turning Barcola down.
“I think also the Semenyo release clause thing at Bournemouth, I think they would’ve liked to have Semenyo in an ideal world, whether that was last summer or the January just gone,” he says.
Now, with the need for an eventual Salah replacement looming large, the Barcola decision looks like a pivotal ‘what if’ moment for Liverpool.
How likely is a Barcola move to Liverpool this summer?
A rekindling of a move for Bradley Barcola this summer feels possible but far from straightforward.
PSG view him as a key part of their long-term project, and after a strong season, his value, both sporting and financial, has only increased. That alone makes negotiations difficult, especially given Liverpool’s reluctance to overpay.
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However, Liverpool’s circumstances have changed. The need for a high-level winger is now more urgent, particularly with Salah’s future uncertain and ongoing inconsistencies on the left flank. Barcola’s profile – direct, technically sharp, and already performing at elite level – fits exactly what Liverpool lack.
Much will depend on PSG’s stance. If Barcola pushes for a move after finding himself competing for minutes, an opportunity could emerge. Liverpool would also need to prioritise him over other targets, something they didn’t do last year.
But the Frenchman also remains in contract negotiations with his current club, and if the outcome of those is that he signs a new deal, Liverpool will likely have missed their chance in 2025.
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