Last season was one of the most incredible individual campaigns we’ve seen from any Premier League player, let alone Liverpool.
As Arne Slot’s men grabbed the title almost a year ago, they were dancing with joy next to a certain Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian scored 34 goals and registered 23 assists in all competitions but his powers are now waning and despite the sadness that accompanies the news, it is no surprise that he will leave Anfield behind at the end of the season.
How do you remove the talent of a generation like this? The truth of the matter is that you can try, but it is unlikely that you will succeed.
However, there are a number of top players who fit the bill.
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We will probably discuss this until the cows come home. It’s a conundrum that doesn’t have an easy solution. It will be incredibly tricky, that’s for sure.
Another option is Michael Olise. He is a ‘dream’ target but given his joy at Bayern Munich and his form in Germany, getting him to the Bundesliga champions is highly unlikely.
There is also Yan Diomande. Not as proven but precious nonetheless, Football FanCast sources revealed in February that talks were held to sign the Ivorian winger from RB Leipzig and that a deal on personal terms was imminent.
He has been in electric form this season, enjoying a good year, but there could be a better option out there for Richard Hughes and Co.
Indeed, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which explains the interest in Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, Liverpool have also held preliminary talks regarding the acquisition of Olise and Bradley Barcola from PSG.
The report notes that ‘inquiries have been made’ to both of those players, but a cheaper option in the form of Akliouche is more likely.
Barcola could cost around £87m according to previous reports.
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How did he compare to Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande
There aren’t many more exciting young players in European football right now than Diomande.
Aged just 19, he has dominated Germany’s top flight this season, scoring ten goals and registering seven assists in 27 league outings. He is a powerful forward. No player has registered more dribbles (90) than a teenager in the Bundesliga this season.
That’s an average of 4.14 per 90 minutes. To put that number into perspective, the next best is Diomande’s teammate, Antonio Nusa, who finished 3.21 out of 90. That figure is much better than Barcola’s too.
The Frenchman is a tricky player, ranked 11th in Ligue 1 in such a metric, but has averaged 1.97 per 90 minutes in 2025/26.
That said, in some areas, Barcola is the best talent, not to mention the most proven. Having won the Champions League with PSG, he lit up European football last season with 21 goals and 21 assists.
He is not only a machine to create chances but also very dangerous in front of goal. His stats are down this quarter but his goal tally is still better than Diomande’s. The Frenchman has scored 12 goals in all competitions.
|
Barcola vs Diomande |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Mathematics (in 90 minutes) |
Barcola (24/25) |
Diomande (25/26) |
|
Goals |
0.6 |
0.5 |
|
Shots |
2.8 |
1.6 |
|
Gun accuracy |
58% |
66% |
|
Conversion rate |
18% |
22% |
|
It helps |
0.5 |
0.3 |
|
Opportunities are created |
2.1 |
2.0 |
|
The takeover is complete |
1.2 |
4.2 |
|
Fouls won |
1 |
1.3 |
Liverpool undoubtedly need more goals in their quest to replace Salah and Barcola can provide just that.
Of course, Diomande is still green, but if you look at the latest season at PSG (2024/25), there is reason to believe that he is the biggest threat that the recruitment officials are following at Anfield.
The Leipzig star is a better dribbler but here and now, Barcola’s end product is better. In the words of Como scout Ben Mattinson, he is a “top” wideout. If an opportunity arises to sign him, they should grab it with both hands.
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