Liverpool have Bradley Barcola alternative staring them in the face and he is half the price

Aug 20, 2026 - 22:15

Liverpool have the perfect Bradley Barcola alternative staring them in the face this summer, according to Andy Brassell.

He believes that Barcola’s teammate Ibrahim Mbaye would represent a very handy option should a deal for Barcola not prove to be possible.

Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring at the World Cup — Barcola is set to depart Paris Saint-Germain this summer after a host of attacking arrivals

talkSPORT understands that the French international wants to move to Anfield this summer.

However, the Reds are unwilling to match the asking price.

Paris Saint-Germain are asking for around £130million to part ways with Barcola despite the club signing a few new forwards.

Mbaye has reportedly agreed personal terms with Liverpool as well and could be part of a double deal.

But if not, Brassell feels as if Mbaye would make more sense than Barcola.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com’s Lead Features Writer Joe Brophy, Brassell praised Mbaye.

He said: “I think he’s an enormous young talent who needs to get out and play. And he won’t do that in Paris.”

When asked if a move to Liverpool made sense, he responded: “It could be. Although, obviously, if we frame it like that, replacing Salah directly, well, A, is impossible. But B, that’s a lot of pressure to put on someone.

“In terms of the fact that they need a right-sided forward, I think they need a right-sided forward more than they need Bradley Barcola.

“Not that I think Bradley Barcola would be anything less than excellent for them. But, yeah, that’s definitely the key spot that they need to replace. And obviously, they’re going around the squad and making little upgrades.

“And really, I think Liverpool are still settling from last year’s transfer window, which was a bit tumultuous, really.

“A lot more change than a lot of people expected. But, yeah, a right-side player and a right-side player of talent is exactly what they need.”

Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates PSG's Champions League success over Arsenal — Mbaye is a special young talent and full Senegalese international already

Bradley Barcola jogs while playing for PSG. — Barcola is still Liverpool’s top target as the transfer window ticks towards its conclusion

Double departure

PSG have signed three attacking players in the transfer window.

Maghned Akliouche has arrived from Monaco to slot in as an option on the right.

Mika Godts has swapped Ajax for Paris to be a left winger for Luis Enrique’s side, and Ferran Torres has also come in.

So, some players need to leave, and Brassell can see both Barcola and Mbaye departing.

“Yeah, absolutely. And I don’t think it’s just down to the Trophy de Champions [where they were both out of the squad]. I think, really, if something has happened this weekend, to mean that it’s in the best interest of everyone for Barcola and Mbaye to move, which I think it was anyway, it’s the fact that you’ve got that incredible front three and then you’ve added Akliouche to that.

“And over this weekend, on Friday, they added Ferran Torres, officially, at last. And then they’ve added Mika Godts as well. So, that really squeezes the minutes for the other guys, I think. And that really indicates that PSG are ready to do business before the bell tolls on September 1st.

“And we’ve seen that PSG earlier in this window have sold very well. I think they’ll continue to sell very well. That’s a huge part of being an elite club, isn’t it?”