Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their bid to sign Bradley Barcola amid the France winger’s impressive form at the World Cup.
The Reds have been eyeing Barcola to replace Mohamed Salah this summer, alongside their strong interest in Yan Diomande.
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Diomande is understood to prefer joining Paris Saint-Germain over the Premier League side, already agreeing a five-year deal.
A transfer fee is yet to be agreed between PSG and the 19-year-old’s club, RB Leipzig – but he is expected to head to France.
That comes after Liverpool saw an £86.3million bid rejected for the Ivory Coast international, which saw them walk away.
Barcola is now seen as the alternative signing for the Reds, however, any deal appears to still be hanging on Diomande’s future.
talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook said: “Unless PSG can get a deal done for Diomande, they don’t want to let Barcola go…
“That’s a blow for Liverpool, who are looking for reinforcements out wide following the summer departure of Mohamed Salah.
“It would take a bid well in excess of £120m to land Barcola.
“He’s continuing to stall on signing a new contract, so maybe that just keeps the door to Anfield partly ajar.”
Barcola asked to leave PSG at the start of June, igniting hope in the European giants who had been targeting him this summer.
He is still yet to commit to a new deal, but his next steps seem to be dependent on whether the French side sign Diomande.
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‘Keep an eye on Arsenal’
If Barcola is allowed to leave PSG and they do sign Diomande, then Arsenal look set to battle with Liverpool to sign him.
Crook added: “Keep an eye on Arsenal as well…
“They’re all in on Morgan Rogers, but if that deal doesn’t go through, then I’d expect Barcola to become a top target.”
talkSPORT’s European football expert, Andy Brassell, has already tipped the Gunners to make a move for Barcola.
And Darren Bent thinks Mikel Arteta needs to sign a new winger as a priority over a potential bid for any other positions.
Rogers is the one Arsenal want – and the Aston Villa star is keen – but if it doesn’t work out, Liverpool have a challenger.
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World Cup sensation
Barcola will only be increasing interest in him this summer as he stars at the World Cup as part of France’s incredible attack.
The 23-year-old scored in Les Bleus’ 3-0 win over Sweden in the Round of 32, setting up a clash with Paraguay next.
That took his tally to two goals and one assist in four games at the tournament so far, having only started twice.
He is starring at the World Cup following a strong season for PSG, as he netted 11 Ligue 1 goals in 29 appearances.
Barcola also scored two in the Champions League as the French champions went back-to-back in Europe.
On top of his 13 goals in all competitions, the winger also provided seven assists, taking his contributions to 20 in total.
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