Jamie Carragher shares a worrying update about Bradley Barcola’s transfer as Andoni Iraola is encouraged to take action
Jamie Carragher has shared his thoughts on what Liverpool should focus on instead of chasing Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola – and he makes a good point.
After being linked with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who now looks set to join Real Madrid, Liverpool’s third signing of the summer, after Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, seems likely to be Barcola from PSG and France.
On July 29, reports said Liverpool started talks with PSG about a deal, and Barcola is open to moving to Anfield. The 23-year-old has two years left on his contract and is valued at around £145 million, though some reports say closer to £128.5 million. That’s slightly more than the club’s record fee for Alexander Isak from Newcastle last summer.
While many Liverpool fans are excited to see Barcola speed down the left wing, former Reds defender and pundit Carragher thinks the club should focus on replacing Mohamed Salah on the right wing before signing Barcola.
“He’s a great player, no doubt. I’d love to see Barcola at Liverpool,” Carragher told Sky Sports News on July 30.
“But he’s a left winger. Liverpool’s biggest weakness right now is replacing Mo Salah on the right wing. I don’t think the squad has anyone who feels truly comfortable there.”
“They have at least four players who can play on the left before Barcola even arrives, if he joins. I’m not saying any of them are better, but in terms of balance, the right wing is where they really need help.”
Barcola is right-footed and likes cutting in from the left. He mainly played as a left winger at PSG, though he was a central striker in Lyon’s academy until age 17.
Carragher also raised a good point about Liverpool’s young talent Rio Ngumoha, who had a promising season last year. Adding Barcola could slow Rio’s progress.
“Rio’s a talented young player and I think he’s going to improve a lot,” Carragher said.
“But if you’re spending big money on someone like Barcola – who’s better than Rio right now – it might limit Rio’s chances to play regularly in the next couple of years.”
“Rio could play on the right wing for now, which is okay for a young player, but his best spot is on the left.”
Carragher also pointed out that last season, after Liverpool sold Luis Diaz, the club said they wouldn’t buy a left winger because they had Cody Gakpo and didn’t want to block Rio’s path.
“Now, a year later, they’re ready to spend a lot on Barcola, which makes you wonder a bit.”
He sums it up: “There are some things with Liverpool’s transfers right now that don’t fully add up for me. But if they sign a right winger, bring in Barcola, and then sell a couple of wide players, that would be great.”
Liverpool are currently touring the U.S. for pre-season and have already beaten Sunderland and Wrexham. They face Leeds United in Chicago on August 2 before finishing pre-season with friendlies against Monaco and Como. The new Premier League season kicks off with a trip to Newcastle United on August 23.