Liverpool could well end up signing Bradley Barcola this summer, with fans still hoping that the Paris Saint-Germain forward will arrive.
However, Barcola is set to cost north of £100m, and with PSG still trying to keep hold of the Frenchman, a deal currently looks far from being anywhere close.
As a result, Liverpool have also been exploring other options, but the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Said El Mala and Matias Fernandez-Pardo – all named as possible alternatives – are not exactly exciting supporters. Consequently, the radar is out to assess whether there are any less-reported potential targets on the wing.
As Michael Edwards leaves Liverpool for a second time, rank these 10 signings from most to least important in the Reds’ recent success
He was PIVOTAL in bringing some big names to Anfield
- Sadio Mane
- Gini Wijnaldum
- Andy Robertson
- Mohamed Salah
- Virgil van Dijk
- Alisson Becker
- Fabinho
- Diogo Jota
- Thiago Alcantara
- Ibrahima Konate
Rousing The Kop put forward Matias Soule of Roma as one interesting option, but there is reason to believe that Porto’s William Gomes, fresh off the back of an exciting debut season in Europe, is an even better fit.
William Gomes ticks a lot of boxes for Liverpool
Gomes may not be a name Liverpool supporters are overly familiar with, but if they are to replace Mohamed Salah with a left-footed player to play on the right wing, the Brazilian should definitely be in the conversation.
Having joined Porto from Sao Paulo in January 2025, Gomes has grown in importance to the Portuguese Liga winners and looks ready to explode in 2026/27.
14 goals last season is impressive, and it looks even better that his eight league goals came from only nine starts.
READ MORE: Joao Gomes made his views about Liverpool clear on social media all the way back in 2020
There is work to do in the creative department, with Gomes registering only one assist, but as a tricky winger with pace, skill and flair out wide, the similarities with Luis Diaz on the opposite wing are definitely there. Liverpool could certainly add some of that under Andoni Iraola.
The 20-year-old also created six big chances during the Liga season, so there is scope to level that up.
Porto are well-known as a finishing school for South American talent in Europe before they move on to the top five divisions, and Gomes look like a player who could make the jump very soon.
If Liverpool do not gamble on his potential this summer, he could soon be off the market and away with another big name on the European scene.
Gomes could be Iraola’s new Rayan
Iraola already has experience of developing a slightly raw young talent from Brazil in the Premier League. The work he did in his short time with Rayan was certainly impressive.
Liverpool have been linked with Rayan as well, but the Bournemouth man is now going to cost a huge fee. He is also definitively unavailable this summer.
How high should Liverpool go to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG?
Maybe Liverpool would be better off signing two or three €50m players…
Although Gomes is not straight from Brazil, having spent 18 months at Porto in between, he is still a young, left-footed, right-sided forward who would need to adapt to the Premier League.
Iraola has shown that he could the right coach to help with that process, and instead of plunging big money into another raw talent like Minteh, Liverpool may be better off looking at Gomes instead.
The youngster has a reported £69m release clause in his contract, and though Porto may look to recoup the full amount, making Gomes an expensive addition, Liverpool have a good relationship with the Portuguese champions following the Diaz transfer, when the Reds helped them out by paying more up front and helping them escape a financial penalty at the time. As a result, maybe something can be done there.
As of now there are no concrete links between Liverpool and Gomes, and barely even any whisperings to speak of. But though nobody is talking about him just yet, it feels only a matter of time before Porto’s current No. 7 goes the way of their old one and takes European football by storm.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
