Bradley Barcola to Liverpool may finally begin to get some proper traction now that the Frenchman has been knocked out of the World Cup with France.
Barcola was an important player for Didier Deschamps’ team – and still has the Bronze medal match against England to come on Saturday – but as he reverts his gaze back to club football, the 23-year-old will find Liverpool waiting to sign him.
Whether the Reds can agree terms with Paris Saint-Germain remains to be seen, with the European champions seemingly keen to keep hold of Barcola if possible.
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As journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed, though, they may find it more difficult to stop fellow winger Ibrahim Mbaye from leaving, and as Liverpool continue to assess their options out wide, the 18-year-old should be a serious target.
Ibrahim Mbaye expected to leave PSG
As Liverpool are well aware, PSG are trying to sign some new wingers of their own this summer. Former top Reds target Yan Diomande prefers to join the French side over Liverpool, while they have also been reported to be in negotiations to buy Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco.
While that has left Barcola eyeing an exit, it has made a departure virtually certain for Mbaye, as Romano explained to his YouTube channel on Friday.
“According to my information, Jorge Mendes is now entering the picture for the decisions of the future of Mbaye,” he said. “Mendes has signed him as a new client and he’s pushing a lot to find a solution for Mbaye.”
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“It’s not going to be a difficult mission, because there are many clubs interested. In Germany there is Borussia Dortmund, but not only, but also in the Premier League.
“Premier League clubs are arriving for Ibrahim Mbaye. His intention is to go elsewhere, play on a regular basis and be an important player.”
Mbaye could fit Liverpool’s project
Although Romano’s final line, about Mbaye looking for regular game time, may put him off a move to Liverpool, there is also a chance that the more direct route to the first-team at an elite club could appeal to him.
Mbaye is a right-sided winger, and the Reds are currently in need of someone who can play in that role.
Victor Munoz can do it, as can Federico Chiesa, but there is a spot there for someone to really grasp it and become the main man. Barcola is more of a left-sider, and if he is signed that is where he should be expected to play. But that could also mean that Mbaye is signed as well.
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At only 18, he has his best years well ahead of him, and though he would probably not be especially cheap from PSG, the price would be reflective of the fact that he is down the pecking order with the Paris club, rather than the potential of the player he could become.
If Liverpool bet on that potential and give him space to develop, signing Mbaye this summer could turn out to be a masterstroke.
Should they complete their PSG raid with Barcola as well, the Reds will be set in wide positions for years to come.
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