Liverpool’s hunt for a wide forward this summer has brought Bradley Barcola into sharper focus, but the move comes with clear obstacles. The biggest is financial: PSG are said to value him at $194 million (€170 million), a figure that would make any deal extremely demanding. The other concern is whether the transfer would truly suit the player or the club.

Barcola had already been linked with an exit before Real Madrid moved ahead of PSG in the chase for Yan Diomande. His situation in Paris has changed markedly since Khvicha Kvaratskhelia arrived from Napoli in Jan. 2025 and established himself as the preferred starter on the left. Barcola’s strongest spell at PSG has effectively been bookended by that arrival, with his influence fading afterwards.

Last season he started 21 of 34 Ligue 1 matches, and five of those starts came in the final five league games when Luis Enrique was rotating for the Champions League. In Europe, he opened the competition as a regular, starting all eight league-phase matches, plus both knockout phase play-off legs and the round of 16. An ankle injury ruled him out of the first leg against Liverpool in the quarterfinals, and he did not regain his place after that.

Liverpool have also been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United target interest in recent weeks, but reports have suggested Barcola sees Anfield as his preferred destination. Fabrizio Romano said on Tuesday that Barcola “wants to join” the 20-time English champions and that it has been that way “since May.” He also said the Liverpool “project” is Barcola’s “priority”.

Even so, the fit is not straightforward. Barcola has played on the right for PSG, but much of his value comes from cutting in from the left onto his stronger right foot. That raises the possibility of Liverpool paying a record fee for a player being asked to operate outside his best role.

There is also the wider squad picture. If Liverpool pursue Barcola on the left, it could affect Cody Gakpo and raise questions over Victor Muñoz and Rio Ngumoha. Liverpool would only keep negotiating if the player is clearly committed, but getting PSG down to a workable price could be a long process.

Liverpool’s search for a new winger is sharpening around one clear name, Bradley Barcola, but the figures attached to him may force a rethink. Paris Saint-Germain are understood to be reluctant sellers and could demand about £145 million ($193 million), a fee that would likely rule the move out and push Liverpool toward more affordable alternatives.

That is why the Reds are being linked with several lower-cost options. The need is obvious: summer business cannot be focused on one position alone, so any wide signing has to make financial sense as well as football sense.

Maghnes Akliouche is one of the most practical names in the frame. Liverpool have already been linked with the Monaco winger, who has also drawn attention from PSG. At 24, with three senior seasons behind him, he fits the profile of a right-sided winger with a left foot, the kind of player who could step into Mohamed Salah’s area of the pitch. His output over the last two campaigns, 14 goals and 22 assists in all competitions, underlines his creative value. A fee just below £43 million ($57.2 million) would make him far cheaper than Barcola.

Rafael Leão brings greater star power, but also more uncertainty. The Milan forward, now 27, wants to leave San Siro after seven seasons. His record is strong, with double figures for both goals and assists across four of the last five campaigns, but his wages would be higher and his form less predictable.

Another name in the conversation is Rayan. The 19-year-old has a reported £130 million ($173 million) release clause that becomes active in January 2027, though Liverpool could try to negotiate earlier. He scored five goals and made two assists in 15 Bournemouth appearances last season.

Said El Mala is a more manageable option. Brentford had already agreed a £42.7 million ($56.9 million) deal for him earlier in the year before he turned it down. The Germany international delivered 13 goals and four assists for Köln last season.

Yankuba Minteh completes the group. The Brighton winger has 19 Premier League goal involvements in two seasons and, at 22, offers pace and physical threat that could appeal strongly if Liverpool move on from Barcola.

Federico Chiesa has made clear that he remains fully committed to Liverpool, despite talk of a possible summer exit and renewed interest in a return to Italy. The forward, who has become a favourite with supporters, says he is focused on proving himself again under Andoni Iraola and welcomes the chance of a fresh beginning, even if it comes in an unfamiliar role.

Speaking after Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly win over Sunderland in Nashville, Chiesa explained that his discussions with Iraola have centred on the basics of the manager’s approach. “The only conversations I had [with Iraola] were about pressing and tactics,” said Chiesa after Liverpool’s recent 4–2 friendly win over Sunderland in Nashville . “So I don’t know [about the future], it is difficult to say. It is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year. Maybe there have been too many fresh starts.

“But I don’t care, I am trying to do my best for this new manager. Last season under Arne Slot, I was trying to do my best.

“Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool. I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything. I am doing the best I can to have a chance here. And then we will see. At the minute, the only thing I am thinking about is Liverpool.”

That message came alongside an encouraging on-field display. Chiesa played as a lone striker in the second half of Iraola’s first match in charge, scored in the victory, and later played a part in Lewis Koumas’s late goal.

Although he has built his career as a winger, Chiesa confirmed that Iraola sees him as an option up front. “He put me [at] striker today and he wants me there. I have played my whole career as a winger but I am happy to play striker as well,” said the Italy international.

Liverpool’s attacking resources have been stretched. Mohamed Salah has left, Hugo Ekitiké is facing a long absence after rupturing his Achilles, and the squad remains short of options in the final third. Víctor Muñoz has arrived, but the 23-year-old will need time to adapt. That leaves Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, Alexander Isak and Chiesa as the club’s only out-and-out forwards, with Isak the only natural striker currently fit.