Liverpool now only one step away from sealing sensational £116m forward deal

Liverpool have got no choice but to move on to other targets after missing out on Yan Diomande.

The RB Leipzig winger - now valued at over €100m - was the No1 pick to replace Mohamed Salah in a new-look attack.

Leipzig knocked back Richard Hughes’ initial bid for the 19-year-old - which comprised €90m upfront plus another €10m in add-ons.

If the Ivorian is to move on this summer then it’s likely to be Paris Saint-Germain who welcome the outstanding young African talent.

Liverpool could pounce for Bradley Barcola

There are of course no guarantees - with Leipzig signing Diomande to a deal until 2030 and having genuine aspirations of committing their top star to a new contract.

But if Diomande ends up at PSG there will be a knock-on effect for another Liverpool target.

Bradley Barcola, 23, has been with PSG since 2023 and has won two Champions League titles. But his importance to the side under Luis Enrique has faded in recent seasons - leading to speculation he could be sold.

The France international winger is under contract until 2028 and so far he has resisted his club’s attempted to tie him down to a new deal.

Liverpool waiting for a signal from Barcola

That could open the door to Liverpool - who have been credited with interest in Barcola going back a couple of transfer windows.

Now a report from Football Insider is claiming that the outgoing Premier League champions are now waiting for a sign from Barcola’s camp to instigate a move.

"Liverpool are big admirers of Bradley Barcola,” the report reads.

“They have had him on their radar for a while, so they will see if they can do a deal.

"It's not going to be easy, PSG are not rushing him out the door, they're claiming he's not for sale, they want to keep him and they're under no real pressure to sell.

"A lot of it will come down to probably the player and his will, if he wants to move in search of regular first team football, if he's not going to get that at the Parc de Princes.

"If he pushes for a move, it could mean Liverpool have a chance and PSG might be willing to let him go, but a lot will depend on how he feels."

Barcola valued around £116m by PSG

PSG have got a hefty valuation of Barcola - said to be around £116m - and look like they want to move him on in order to accommodate the signing of Diomande.

That would be music to the ears of decision-makers inside Anfield - who have prioritised adding a couple of wingers this summer.

With Victor Munoz already successfully onboarded the identity of the Merseysiders’ second new wide attacker remains to be confirmed.