Liverpool's Pursuit of Bradley Barcola as Salah Successor

Liverpool’s hunt for a new right-sided star after Mohamed Salah’s exit is starting to take shape, and the spotlight has swung firmly onto Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.

Reports in England say Liverpool are now in the strongest position to sign the France international, with PSG valuing the 21-year-old at around £100 million. That is elite money, Salah-level money, and it underlines how seriously Liverpool are treating the task of replacing one of the greatest forwards in their history.

Liverpool push for Barcola as Salah successor

Barcola has quickly climbed near the top of Liverpool’s shortlist as they look for a proven winger who can step straight into a front line that has lived off goals and chaos for years. The recruitment brief is clear: not just potential, but someone who can carry the weight of expectation at Anfield from day one.

The chase is anything but straightforward. Arsenal are also in the frame after missing out on Morgan Rogers, while Bayern Munich are monitoring the situation. PSG, for their part, know exactly what they have. A young, France international wide player, already battle-tested at the top level, on a long contract and improving fast. That’s why they are holding firm on a nine-figure valuation.

Liverpool, though, are acting early and decisively. Anfield needs a new hero on that right flank. Barcola is now front and centre in that conversation.

Arsenal cast the net wide: Diomande enquiry and Ødegaard stance

Arsenal’s search for more firepower out wide has also led them to RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande. The Premier League side have made an enquiry for the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger, who is under contract in Germany until June 2030.

Diomande has been strongly linked with European champions PSG, and the player is understood to favour a move to France. Leipzig, meanwhile, still hope to convince him to stay for at least one more season. Arsenal are refusing to walk away, keeping the door open in case the situation shifts.

At the same time, another major storyline is bubbling at the Emirates. Arsenal are reportedly willing to listen to offers for club captain Martin Ødegaard, with an asking price in the region of £75 million. For a player so central to Mikel Arteta’s project, even the suggestion of a sale marks a significant moment in Arsenal’s squad evolution.

Chelsea’s reshuffle: Lacroix talks and Disasi interest

Chelsea’s rebuild shows no sign of slowing. Negotiations are ongoing with Crystal Palace over defender Maxence Lacroix, with Fabrizio Romano reporting confidence on Chelsea’s side that a deal can be struck. Both clubs are said to be working towards a solution, and Lacroix is keen to make the move after featuring in three of France’s eight matches at the World Cup.

At the same time, Roma have contacted Chelsea about the availability of Axel Disasi. The London club are open to letting the defender go for around €20 million this summer, a fee that reflects a willingness to trim the squad and reshape the back line under the current regime.

Another subplot at Stamford Bridge involves Morgan Rogers, whose move to Chelsea has already been completed. The question now hangs over whether he can thrive under Xabi Alonso’s management and justify the club’s investment in yet another attacking talent.

Liverpool circle Akliouche as PSG stall

Liverpool’s recruitment drive does not stop with Barcola. The club have made an initial approach for AS Monaco attacker Maghnes Akliouche, according to reports. The 24-year-old has just finished his World Cup commitments with France, and his long-term future at club level is now firmly in play.

PSG have already seen several bids for Akliouche rejected by Monaco, which may open a window for Liverpool. The Premier League side are said to have checked on his availability, sensing an opportunity while the Paris club struggle to get a deal over the line.

If Liverpool were to land both Barcola and Akliouche, it would represent a radical and rapid refresh of their attacking options in a single window.

Dortmund go hard for Karetsas

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund are moving aggressively for Genk wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas. Sky Germany report that Dortmund have improved their offer, with the total package now just over €30 million including potential add-ons.

There is still no agreement between the clubs, but talks are heading in what Dortmund consider the right direction. At 18, Karetsas fits the classic Dortmund profile: high-ceiling talent, big resale potential, and ready to be thrown into the spotlight sooner rather than later.

Manchester United, City and the Premier League scramble

Manchester United and Arsenal are locked in a separate battle for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott after Chelsea saw a bid rejected. Newcastle United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested, turning Scott into one of the most contested midfield targets in the league.

United’s internal picture looks clearer in one key area. Captain Bruno Fernandes is expected to commit his future to the club once he returns from his summer break, with talks over a new contract ongoing. For a side in flux, tying down their talisman would be a crucial stabilising move.

Across the city, Manchester City are preparing another sizeable investment in midfield. They are ready to offer Lille €90 million for Ayyoub Bouaddi, having already agreed personal terms with the player, according to reports. City have not been shy about paying premium prices for players they believe can anchor their next cycle, and Bouaddi fits that mould.

Fulham are also active, holding talks to sign Real Madrid striker Gonzalo García, a player who has previously worked under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa. It is the kind of targeted move that could quietly reshape their attack.

Beşiktaş, meanwhile, are pushing to sign Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock, who is entering the final year of his contract on Tyneside. With Newcastle needing to balance their books and Willock approaching a decision point in his career, the timing is no accident.

Moves across Europe and South America

Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement to sign Hoffenheim right-back Luca Erlein for €2 million plus bonuses, a typically sharp piece of business from the Bundesliga champions as they look to reinforce depth without breaking their structure.

In South America, River Plate have booked a medical for Ángel Correa after agreeing a €17 million package with Tigres. It is a statement move, bringing a player with top-level pedigree back into a league that continues to produce and now, increasingly, repatriate serious talent.

Back in England, though, the question lingers over Anfield: who carries the torch after Mohamed Salah? Liverpool have stepped to the front of the queue for Bradley Barcola. Now they have to finish the job.