Liverpool line up huge move to sign £87m forward

Liverpool fans have been reminiscing over the past in recent days after the farewells that took place at Anfield after the final game of the 2025/26 campaign against Brentford.

The outing was the final one for attacker Mohamed Salah and full-back Andy Robertson, who both have endured huge success during their respective periods on Merseyside.

Losing both of the experienced talents will be a bitter blow to Arne Slot and his staff, with both playing crucial roles in the Premier League title-winning squad of 2024/25.

However, their exits could present a fresh opportunity for new faces to create their own legacy and take the club back to the summit of England’s top-flight.

The recruitment team have already set their sights high ahead of the summer transfer window, as numerous top-level talents have appeared on their transfer shortlist.

Liverpool now line up move for £60m European star

Over the last couple of days, Liverpool have become one of many clubs extremely keen on securing the signature of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande this summer.

The Ivorian international has become one of the continent’s most in-demand talents, as PSG are also said to be strongly considering a big-money transfer.

Any deal would be an expensive one for Slot’s men during the upcoming window, with the Bundesliga side demanding a fee in the region of €100m (£87m) for the youngster.

Diomande isn’t the only attacking option on the hierarchy’s shortlist at present, with PSG star Bradley Barcola also being named as an alternative option.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are said to be lining up a potential deal for the Frenchman in an attempt to bolster the attacking department ahead of next season.

He also claims that the French club’s interest in Diomande could provide a domino effect, with the 23-year-old set to be allowed to leave if the Ivorian joins the Ligue 1 side.

Like the Leipzig star, any deal would be a hefty investment for the Reds, as Luis Enrique’s men could command an £87m fee for the left-winger this summer according to previous reports.

Why Barcola would be a better signing than Diomande

Liverpool’s interest in signing Diomande this summer has been well documented and for good reason amid his form in the Bundesliga throughout 2025/26.

The 19-year-old only joined from Leganes for a reported £19m last year, but has taken to the demands of top-level European football like a duck to water.

In his 33 league outings this term, the youngster has racked up a sensational tally of 12 goals and nine assists – helping Leipzig secure a third-placed finish under Ole Werner.

However, such form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Slot’s Liverpool evidently wanting a huge move for the attacker when the transfer window opens in early June.

His ability off either flank would make him a huge asset for the Reds, but a deal for Barcola could prove to be a better addition in their hunt to return to Premier League glory.

The Frenchman, who is primarily a left-sided forward, has amassed a phenomenal CV, which includes three Ligue 1 titles and a Champions League trophy.

He has top-level experience, something which makes him a more attractive proposition than Diomande, with his stats from the 2025/26 season further demonstrating why he’d be a better signing.

Barcola, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Gianluigi Donnarumma, has registered the same number of goals this season – but doing so at a better minute per goal ratio.

He’s also achieved a better shot on target accuracy rate, whilst posting more shots on target per 90 – reaffirming his phenomenal ability with the ball in front of goal.

The PSG star has also demonstrated his creativity within attacking areas of the pitch, subsequently registering 0.6 big chances created per 90 in Ligue 1 this term.

The aforementioned tally ranks him above 96% of attackers across the continent this campaign, with Leipzig star Diomande unable to get near such a figure in recent months.

Barcola’s dominance over the Ivorian is further reflected in his tally of 8.7 touches in the opposition box per 90 – with the forward often causing defenders huge trouble with his all-round quality.

£60m for a player of the Frenchman’s talent and experience is an excellent deal for Liverpool, especially considering he’s just 23 and has the chance to improve further in the years ahead.

There’s no disputing Diomande is a top prospect at present, but £87m would be a huge sum to fork out on a player who’s only enjoyed one successful season in Europe.

As a result, Barcola would be a much more valuable addition for the Reds, with the attacker a player who can write his name in the club’s history upon any move to Anfield this summer.