Liverpool are reportedly trying to take the lead in a summer battle with Paris Saint-Germain for Yan Diomande, but already have a back-up option in case they are beaten to the Ivorian.
The Reds have been linked with Diomande virtually since he broke into RB Leipzig’s first-team last October, and talks are ramping up ahead of a mega deal.
However, PSG are said to be right there in the mix as well, and according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are likely to pivot to Bradley Barcola if the Champions League finalists beat them to Diomande.
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Barcola is the Diomande back-up plan
In the lead-up to the summer window, the question has been one of whether Liverpool will sign Diomande or Barcola as their new winger.
The direction of travel appears to be that Diomande is the first-choice, but according to Romano, the 19-year-old could decide to join PSG instead, a choice which could mean Barcola moves to Anfield.
“When we talk about Liverpool in the transfer window, we have to keep a close eye on two situations,” the transfer expert told his YouTube channel on Friday evening.
“For sure, one is going to be the winger, and the other one is potentially the right-back. Liverpool are considering right-backs on the market. In January they were exploring a deal for Denzel Dumfries, then Geertruida, now the winger position is the absolute focus for Liverpool. They want to do something important in the position.”
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“The name of Yan Diomande remains, for sure. Liverpool are in active talks with the agency of Diomande, Roc Nation Sports. It’s not only Liverpool, but Paris Saint-Germain are in conversations. Manchester United are following the player, but they have already said that they will not pay 100 million Euros for Diomande.
“PSG and Liverpool are in the race,” Romano added. “It’s the player who has to decide what he wants to do. It was a similar situation in January 2025 for Kvaratskhelia. He had the possibility to go to PSG and immediately said yes to them, despite some calls from Liverpool. For Kvara it was always PSG. Now Diomande has to decide. The player is going to dictate the direction of this deal.
“Then it’s important to say do not forget another name in the winger story in this summer transfer window, and it’s the name of Bradley Barcola. Liverpool really appreciate Barcola. He’s still not signing a new contract at PSG, so in case Diomande decides to go to PSG, Barcola again could be a serious option for Liverpool. This could be the domino. There is genuine interest from Arsenal as well.”
For now, there is still no indication of the kind of price Liverpool would need to pay in order to sign Barcola this summer.
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However, if Diomande does decide to join the Parisians, Liverpool’s hand would be strengthened in terms of the Frenchman surely wanting to leave.
Fans will be split on who would be the better arrival, but given his greater experience, there is an argument that Barcola should actually be the first-choice here.
Spending such a huge figure on Diomande would be a risk, and with plenty of other bits and pieces for Liverpool to do this summer, it may make more sense to spread the costs around.
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