The ‘official’ reason Liverpool gave for not signing Bradley Barcola from PSG last summer

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Bradley Barcola of PSG is once again on Liverpool’s radar as we head towards the 2026 summer transfer window.The Reds will need fresh legs in their forward line with Mohamed Salah leaving and Federico Chiesa eyeing a transfer as well.Barcola is wanted by Liverpool, nearly 12 months on from the Merseyside outfit deciding against pursuing a deal due to worries about Rio Ngumoha’s development. Barroso/Europa Press/Getty Images Liverpool snubbed Bradley Barcola for Rio NgumohaIt was reported last year that there were worries Barcola could block Ngumoha’s pathway into the first team.Now, speaking on Anfield Index’s YouTube this week, journalist Lewis Steele has shared the ‘official’ reason Liverpool gave for not signing the Frenchman in 2025.He said: “We know that they liked Barcola last summer but decided either financially or I think the official word was they didn’t want to block Rio’s pathway.

That’s what they decided then. “I think it became obvious quite early into the season that they did need a new winger.

So maybe they regretted that and maybe they retained, you know, open dialogue with Barcola’s camp. So that one could be a goer.”But as Steele pointed out, that was probably a mistake on the part of the Liverpool transfer chiefs.Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz were allowed to leave last year, seeing Cody Gakpo become one of Arne Slot’s most important attackers.But Gakpo has had a disappointing season, to say the least, and Liverpool have lacked pace out wide this term.So, with Salah and Chiesa both expected to leave, there is no real reason a move for Barcola could not be back on this term.Even if Yan Diomande is signed as well, there is a need for fresh legs on both flanks this summer.A front four, once everyone is fit, of course, of Barcola, Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Diomande would be quite the force under the right manager.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox