“Bradley Barcola remains a concrete option for Liverpool.” Fabrizio Romano's line to football365.com is the clearest summary of where this story sits now. Liverpool wanted Yan Diomande, but with the player now prioritising Paris Saint Germain, Bradley Barcola has moved into view as a leading alternative rather than a background name.

Liverpool had already put down an offer worth around €100m for Diomande before he chose PSG as his preferred move. That does not mean the Diomande deal is dead, because reporting around Paris is still mixed, but it does explain why Barcola has become the sharper part of the conversation.

Romano told caughtoffside.com: “Bradley Barcola situation remains absolutely open as he's high on Liverpool list, as reported for months. If both Diomande/Akliouche join PSG, Barcola future could change in case of big proposal. Liverpool keen since summer 2025.” For Liverpool, this looks less like a sudden pivot and more like a long-running file moving back to the top of the pile.

Liverpool's shortlist after Diomande

The key point is that Barcola is not being framed as a fallback with no substance behind it. Romano has been consistent on that. He says Liverpool admired him in the summer of 2025 and still have him on their shortlist for the summer of 2026.

That fits a club still looking to reshape its attack after finishing fifth in the Premier League and scoring 63 league goals. Those are not bad numbers in isolation, but they are enough to justify another wide option, especially when one major target starts leaning elsewhere.

Barcola's production helps explain the interest. He had 13 goals and seven assists in 49 games last season, a total of 20 goal contributions across competitions. For a player being discussed as an alternative target rather than the first headline name, that is strong output.

Liverpool have already signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna this summer, so this is not a case of the club standing still. It looks more like they are adding layers to the squad around established names such as Mohamed Salah, while also keeping an eye on younger attacking profiles. Said El Mala and others may fit that broader thinking, but Barcola is the one being described right now as a concrete option.

PSG's leverage and Barcola's situation

The other reason this has traction is on the PSG side. Barcola was unhappy at being named on the bench for the Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest, and his place could come under more pressure if Paris add more wide players.

That does not mean PSG are pushing him out. Some reporting goes stronger and suggests he is expected to leave, while other reporting says PSG would ideally keep him. The evidence points somewhere in the middle: his future is open, but Paris are not in a weak position.

Barcola has two years left on his contract, so PSG do not need to sell cheaply. Romano's wording reflects that balance. Liverpool can move, negotiations could develop, and the squad picture in Paris may help them, but none of that amounts to an agreed exit.

There is also a wider recruitment ripple here. If Diomande does end up in Paris, it could further squeeze Barcola's role. But even that part needs care. Sources differ on whether Diomande's move is effectively done or still in negotiation, and Liverpool are dealing with that uncertainty rather than a settled outcome. RB Leipzig remain one of the other major clubs pulled into the wider Diomande market, which adds another layer to the chase.

Barcola is the credible option, not the guaranteed one

The sensible reading is that Liverpool's interest is real and Barcola's situation is live, but this is still an options story rather than a done-deal story. That is a meaningful distinction in a market where one strong report often gets stretched too far.

Liverpool missed the clean run they wanted at Diomande and now have to work in a more crowded space. Barcola makes sense because the admiration is already there, the output is there, and PSG's squad planning may yet create an opening. Whether that opening becomes a bid depends on how hard Liverpool push and how firmly PSG hold their price.

For now, Romano's description remains the most reliable place to stop: Barcola is still a concrete option for Liverpool, and the situation is still open.

FAQ

Will Bradley Barcola join Liverpool this summer?

The reporting only supports Barcola as a live option, not a done deal. Fabrizio Romano says he remains high on Liverpool's list and a concrete option, especially after Yan Diomande prioritised Paris Saint-Germain. PSG's squad situation could open the door, but the club can still demand a strong fee and there is no agreement described here.

Why have Liverpool turned to Bradley Barcola after Yan Diomande?

Liverpool had already put down an offer worth around €100m for Yan Diomande before he chose PSG as his priority. With that move not yet secured for Liverpool, Barcola has moved into focus as an alternative wide option. Romano says Liverpool admired him in summer 2025 and still have him on their shortlist for summer 2026.

Could PSG be willing to sell Bradley Barcola?

There are mixed signals, but a sale looks plausible rather than certain. Some reports suggest PSG's incoming wide additions could change Barcola's future, while other reporting says the club would rather keep him. He also has two years left on his contract, which means PSG are not under pressure to sell cheaply.

What has Bradley Barcola produced recently to interest Liverpool?

Barcola posted 13 goals and seven assists in 49 games last season, a return of 20 goal contributions across competitions. That is the clearest statistical case for why Liverpool would keep him high on their shortlist as they look for another attacking option.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 10 outlets. How we work →