Why Liverpool are ready to make Barcola third £100m signing
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However, with PSG also having Georgia's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and France's Desire Doue as wide options, Barcola does not play 90 minutes every match so a move to Anfield would give him more playing time.With Mohamed Salah leaving on a free transfer at the end of last season having scored 257 goals in a hugely successful nine-year spell with the Reds, Liverpool clearly need to strengthen their attack.France forward Hugo Ekitike ruptured his Achilles tendon in April and is not expected to play again in 2026, while Cody Gakpo, another who can play on the left and in the middle, has been linked with a move to Tottenham, although Liverpool say they do not want to sell.Barcola has already played 28 times for his country and scored three times in this summer's World Cup, including in the 6-4 loss to England in the third-fourth play-off.However, like at club level, his game time was limited because of the skills of his 21-year-old PSG team-mate Doue. A closer look, however, suggests Liverpool would not simply be replacing one winger with another.Barcola is a left winger by trade, having played almost all of his Champions League minutes for PSG on that flank, but his game is shaped by a centre-forward's instincts.
He played as a striker until the age of 17, something reflected in his movement and shot selection.Last season, he averaged 3.5 shots per 90 minutes in Ligue 1, placing him among the division's most active shooters despite operating from wide areas. Barcola was the only player across Europe's top five leagues to average more than two shot-ending carries per 90 minutes (2.06), illustrating his ability to drive at opponents before creating shooting opportunities for himself.
Barcola's passing profile across his three Champions League campaigns at PSG has become increasingly focused on progressing play in the final third, reflecting greater tactical maturity. He's a squad player at PSG.