Liverpool deal for wonderkid fell through for one simple reason

Liverpool have been linked with many different players this summer.

The Anfield outfit needed to make a lot of changes to their first-team squad so that they could try and get back to their best.

Because, finishing fifth in the Premier League just a season after winning the entire thing was a travesty.

Indeed, they did still manage to qualify for the Champions League but, unless they make some more additions, there's no way that they're getting past the round of 16 stage.

That's why, for most of the summer, when a decent player in any position on the pitch has been linked with an exit from their club, Liverpool have been interested.

However, most of these links have fallen through with an explanation now being shared about why a deal for one specific player isn't on his way to L4 this summer.

Liverpool wanted to negotiate a double deal for Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola

Throughout most of the summer, Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye have been two of the most-linked players with Liverpool.

One of Andoni Iraola's main problem areas at Anfield was his attack and, since they've still not replaced Mohamed Salah yet, it's still a massive issue.

That's why a double deal for Mbaye and Barcola was mooted. Paris Saint-Germain have added many new attackers to their ranks this summer which meant that some of their players have been up for grabs.

And, even though neither of them were the Reds' first-choice, both are still solid players who would've helped massively.

Barcola's deal with Liverpool still looks to be on but, after the Reds were quoted around £60 million to prise him away from the Parc de Princes, they changed their mind.

And now, according to journalist Abdellah Boulma, the deal for Mbaye was only ever in Liverpool's sights if they could complete it as a double deal with Barcola.

"As expected, Ibrahim Mbaye will leave PSG. Aston Villa's priority for several months, the young Parisian is very close to joining the Villans, as indicated by David Ornstein." he shared via X.

"The deal, estimated at €55 M, is nearly finalized. Liverpool, Chelsea, and Bayer Leverkusen were also interested in the player.

"The Reds had notably considered a joint operation with Bradley Barcola, a formula rejected by PSG, which wanted to negotiate the two transfers separately."

Liverpool must sign someone else alongside Bradley Barcola for their attack

Ever since Liverpool's deal for Yan Diomande fell through, Barcola has been their main target for attack.

And, even though he's naturally a left-winger, Iraola has already made it clear that he wants all of his attackers to be versatile and to be able to play in any position across their attack.

Obviously, adding Barcola to their ranks will massively help Liverpool's attack out but, if others such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz fail to meet expectations, it feels like there would be way too much pressure on the Frenchman's back to try and carry the Anfield outfit.

That's why another attacker being brought in alongside Barcola is essential for Iraola and Liverpool.

With how unlucky they were with injuries last term, having as much depth as possible available to them is going to be essential.

Indeed, money is certainly an issue but, with Jones now gone and others such as Harvey Elliott and potentially Cody Gakpo following suit, some extra funding may make it's way into Anfield before deadline day.

If this happens, a decent chunk of change needs to be thrown into bringing in another attacker, especially with Hugo Ekitike out of action until the New Year.

Otherwise, things won't end up improving for Liverpool and they could be left even further behind by their title rivals.