Sky Sports: Liverpool’s Transfer Domino Effect — Isak First, Barcola Next?
Liverpool’s summer transfer plans are heating up, with the club carefully weighing its next moves in what could become one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the window. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the Reds have been closely tracking the situation of Paris Saint-Germain’s highly rated winger Bradley Barcola.
At just 22, Barcola is seen as one of Ligue 1’s brightest attacking prospects. His pace, dribbling flair, and ability to stretch defenses have made him a valued asset at PSG. But for Liverpool, any potential move for the Frenchman hinges on developments elsewhere — namely, their pursuit of Alexander Isak.
The Newcastle striker has emerged as Liverpool’s number one target, especially as Darwin Núñez edges closer to a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia. However, progress has stalled while Newcastle search for a suitable replacement. Liverpool’s recruitment team is prepared to wait, but they are also keeping their options open in case the Isak deal collapses.
Barcola: A Tempting but Complicated Option
Should the Isak chase fail, Liverpool could pivot towards Barcola. But there are several complications. The club has yet to make a formal approach or open concrete talks with the player’s representatives, and insiders suggest that PSG are far from eager to sell. Sporting director Luis Campos, manager Luis Enrique, and club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi are all firmly in Barcola’s corner, and the player himself has given no strong indication that he wants out of Paris.
Moreover, there’s an internal debate at Anfield. Signing Barcola — or any other young left-sided winger — could hinder the pathway of Rio Ngumoha, the club’s 16-year-old prodigy who is already tipped for a bright future. Liverpool have publicly stressed their commitment to developing homegrown talents, and bringing in a direct competitor in the same position could limit Ngumoha’s first-team chances.
Alternative Targets: Rodrygo on the Radar
Another name under discussion is Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. At 24, the Brazilian forward brings versatility, Champions League pedigree, and proven experience on the right flank — a position Liverpool could look to strengthen. Rodrygo, however, prefers playing off the left, which reintroduces the same Ngumoha dilemma.
Financially, Rodrygo could be a more manageable acquisition if the Isak deal is completed, but his positional preference could make the fit less than perfect.
The Bigger Picture
For now, Liverpool’s strategy is clear:
- Push hard for Isak — viewed as a unique opportunity to land a Premier League-proven forward in his prime.
- Keep fallback options ready — Barcola and Rodrygo among them, though neither comes without complications.
- Protect youth development — ensuring signings don’t block the rise of their next-generation stars.
With the clock ticking on the summer transfer window and Nunez’s exit likely to be confirmed soon, the pressure is mounting on Liverpool to get their attacking rebuild right. One domino — Isak — could set the whole chain reaction in motion.
