The Hard Tackle lists three players Liverpool should pursue if they fail to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
One of Liverpool’s primary objectives in the summer transfer window has been finding a definitive, long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. Following the Egyptian icon’s emotional departure, the Anfield hierarchy identified Bradley Barcola as their top target.
The Frenchman’s lightning-fast pace, direct 1v1 threat, and high tactical upside perfectly fit the vertical, energetic philosophy that new manager Andoni Iraola expects from his frontline as he looks to drag Liverpool back to the summit of English football. However, negotiating with Paris Saint-Germain has led to a financial roadblock. The reigning Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League holders are steadfast in their stance that their astronomical €170 million asking price will not change, a figure that forces Liverpool to break their transfer record by a considerable margin.
Complicating matters further are mounting suggestions that Arsenal are preparing a late move to hijack the deal. Looking for explosive additions to their attack after missing out on Vinicius Junior, the Premier League champions stand ready to act decisively if Liverpool hesitate over the massive valuation.
Faced with a potential bidding war and a premium markup, the Reds need to keep their options open. While Barcola remains an alluring option, an elite club cannot allow a single target to paralyse their entire summer strategy, especially when requiring a dual-threat winger who can guarantee high-volume productivity in both goals and assists.
By pivoting to smarter market alternatives, the Merseyside club can bypass the PSG valuation, outmanoeuvre domestic rivals, and secure a world-class talent ready for a Premier League title charge. Here are three ideal, stylistically fitting alternatives Liverpool should target.
Rayan
If Liverpool want an alternative completely suited to Andoni Iraola’s high-pressing tactical demands, Rayan is a tantalising target. Since making his high-profile switch to the Premier League from Vasco da Gama in January, the 19-year-old has exploded onto the world stage.
His breathtaking domestic transition earned him a senior Brazil call-up and a spot in their 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, making him the exact profile of exponential, high-upside forward that FSG typically loves to secure. That is perhaps why the youngster has courted interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, among others.
- Immediate Premier League Acclimatisation: Rayan adapted seamlessly to the Premier League, quickly racking up 5 goals and 2 assists in his first 15 appearances for the Cherries.
- High-Volume Final Third Pedigree: Before moving to Europe, he established his clinical nature by netting 20 goals in 57 senior appearances for Vasco da Gama across 2025.
- Tactical Right-Side Fit: Unlike Barcola, who heavily favours the left side, Rayan thrives cutting inside from the right wing on his left foot, providing a flawless mirror to Salah’s historical role.
Is there a downside?
Having only brought him to England six months ago, Bournemouth are fiercely determined to block a quick exit, and his long-term contract running until 2031 gives them total control over his price. Additionally, the teenager is still raw and rough around the edges to make an immediate and highly-productive impact for Liverpool, even though he has the ingredients to be a long-term asset.
Nico Williams
Nico Williams remains one of the most devastating, world-class wingers in world football. An iconic figure for both club and country, Williams has consistently demonstrated the elite, big-game temperament required to spearhead a modern attack.
His terrifying, pure linear pace, and refined final-third output make him a certified nightmare for standard Premier League low-blocks, carrying a proven tournament pedigree that few young wingers in Europe can match. However, like Rayan, he is a hot property in the market, with Arsenal among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
- Sustained Creative Hub: Williams remains an elite engine for shot generation, ranking in the upper deciles of La Liga by creating 26 major chances and logging an 81% passing accuracy.
- Reliable Final-Third Punch: Even through an injury-interrupted domestic campaign, he directly contributed 6 goals and 3 assists across 25 league appearances.
- Major Tournament Proven: The Spaniard boasts world-class international experience, famously logging key goal contributions on the grandest stages during Spain’s deep tournament runs at UEFA Euro 2024 and FIFA World Cup 2026.
Is there a downside?
Unlike Rayan, Williams primarily prefers operating on the left side of the attack, and his immense, lifelong loyalty to his boyhood club makes negotiating personal terms notoriously difficult. The Spanish international is also believed to already be on hefty wages, meaning offering a better salary becomes an uphill task. Meanwhile, his output has sharply reduced in the last two seasons, and he managed only six goals and seven assists in an injury-riddled 2025/26 campaign.
Rafael Leao
If Liverpool want to make a statement signing that matches the sheer financial size of a €170 million Barcola transaction, Rafael Leao is the ultimate alternative. The Portuguese international has made a remarkable impact in Serie A, driving Milan deep into domestic and continental events with his impressive blend of physical power, technical trickery, and individual brilliance.
- Devastating Ball Carrier: Leao leads Europe in isolated 1v1 situations, completing a staggering 3.6 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, compared to Barcola’s modest 1.2 take-ons.
- Proven Elite Production: The Portuguese international has hit double-digit goal contributions in three consecutive Serie A seasons, maintaining an underlying expected goal involvement (xGI) of 0.72 per 90 minutes.
- Anfield Big-Stage Ready: Leao possesses the established global star power required to instantly fill the leadership and offensive void left behind by Salah.
Is there a downside?
Like Bradley Barcola and Nico Williams, Leao plays almost exclusively on the left wing, meaning his arrival would require rewriting Liverpool’s tactical playbook or forcing existing stars out of their favored positions. He was also highly inconsistent in the 2025/26 season and eventually lost his spot as a regular. So, unless he rediscovers his peak form, a deal will be fraught with risks for Liverpool.
