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Whether or not Bradley Barcola eventually becomes a Liverpool player, completing a transfer saga that has been simmering throughout much of the summer, that may not be the end of the story.
Barcola, briefly connected with Arsenal earlier in the window before making clear his preference for Liverpool, has been pushing for a departure from Paris Saint-Germain after being sidelined to the periphery.
The French winger had the world at his feet in 2024–25, only to see his playing time severely cut by the arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in his left wing position. Barcola's Ligue 1 and Champions League starts both declined last season, affecting his goal and assist tallies as he became the second-choice option. PSG appear to have already moved on from Barcola, having concluded a deal for Belgian international Mika Godts earlier this month.
At his peak, Barcola accumulated 44 goals and assists during 2024–25 and Liverpool are now eager to tap into that. Following PSG's steep initial asking price, a fee that could reach $163 million (£120 million) looks increasingly likely to see the 23-year-old make the move from Paris to Anfield.
That figure falls only slightly short of what Liverpool paid Newcastle United last summer for Alexander Isak. The Reds will be hoping Barcola delivers more than the Swedish international has so far.
Liverpool
Right Winger Still Needed
Remarkably, Liverpool could make Barcola the second most expensive player in Premier League history and it still wouldn't directly address the most pressing issue facing the club at the start of the summer. Mohamed Salah, while impossible to replace on a like-for-like basis, left a significant void on the right flank when he chose to leave midway through a two-year contract extension.
Liverpool lacked a natural deputy for Salah last season, with Dominik Szoboszlai typically stepping in when the Egyptian was rested or unavailable. Without him, the club has no right wingers to speak of.
The goal isn't to find someone on the right wing who can replicate Salah's output. Attention will shift to Barcola on the left and Florian Wirtz through the center if he can establish consistency. But a specialist on that side of the pitch is still a necessity.
Rio Ngumoha, Víctor Muñoz and Cody Gakpo are all left-sided players. Ngumoha was handed the right-wing start against Newcastle United in last weekend's season opener and struggled, confined to the touchline, forced to cut inside onto his weaker left foot, and ultimately making little impact.
Even with Barcola signed, Liverpool would likely still need to consider pursuing Yankuba Minteh, who is proving too costly, or Ismaïla Sarr. Ibrahim Mbaye, Barcola's PSG teammate, is another name that has surfaced. Pedro Neto will probably command a higher fee than most given Chelsea's ambitious valuation. Then there is Rayan, who is well known to Andoni Iraola. Bournemouth are always open to selling, but won't let their assets go on the cheap.
Player Sales to Raise Funds
Prior to Barcola, Liverpool's summer spending was relatively modest compared to 12 months ago. But with the former Lyon forward pushing the window's total outlay to around $285 million (£210 million), the money that has returned to the club suddenly looks very limited.
The Reds lost Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté on free transfers and have so far only recouped a modest fee from the sale of Curtis Jones to Inter. There are several fringe players who could be moved on to generate funds.
Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa didn't even make the matchday squad against Newcastle. Selling Alexis Mac Allister would represent the ultimate ruthless decision, driven both by his market value and a disappointing 2025–26 campaign.
Then there is Cody Gakpo, who is an obvious candidate to be sold in order to trim the left-wing options and free up budget to reinforce on the right.
Tottenham Hotspur
Left Wing Target More Available
Liverpool were reluctant to sell Gakpo this summer, but the Reds may have little option but to at least entertain the idea of parting with the Dutchman to address other pressing needs.
Ngumoha won't be departing, while Muñoz has only recently arrived. Gakpo is also attracting serious attention. Tottenham Hotspur have wrapped up the signing of Sávio for the right wing and are in the process of bringing in Omar Marmoush through the center. Gakpo would bring proven Premier League and Champions League quality on the left to what is a comprehensive attacking overhaul.
Liverpool's reported asking price would likely need to come down, however, potentially to as much as $159 million (£117 million) in light of what Chelsea paid for Morgan Rogers.
Man City
Gakpo Competition or Grealish Reprieve
Manchester City have also been linked with interest in Gakpo, looking to provide cover and competition for Jérémy Doku. That would likely mean fewer minutes than he could command at Spurs, making City a less attractive proposition in one respect—though in another, Spurs won't be competing for the Premier League title and have no European football this season.
Alternatively, The Athletic now reports that Iliman Ndiaye is also on City's radar.
However, it's also possible that Jack Grealish could earn a stay of execution as backup left winger. The 2022–23 treble winner remains hugely popular with supporters and made his first City appearance in over a year when he came off the bench against Arsenal in the Community Shield. He was also used as a substitute last weekend in a similar role against Bournemouth.
Sunderland have been mentioned as a potential destination, while Everton and Aston Villa have also been linked. City are reportedly willing to let him leave, but it's evident he still has a role to play in Manchester.
Midfielder Needs Potentially Served
If Liverpool need to generate funds and Mac Allister is deemed expendable, could Manchester City come calling for the 2022 World Cup winner?
His name has already been floated in connection with City's search for a third midfield addition of the summer, having already secured Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Others on that shortlist include Enzo Fernández, Alex Scott and Adam Wharton.
Fernández, valued at $163 million (£120 million), is understood to be the primary target and already has an established relationship with Enzo Maresca. But Mac Allister would likely carry a lower price tag and has been a key figure in a Premier League title-winning midfield in the not-too-distant past.