Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool against signing Bradley Barcola as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, arguing the Paris Saint-Germain forward plays on the wrong flank.
Liverpool are preparing to make their first offer for Barcola, who is valued at £145 million by PSG. The 23-year-old France international is understood to be keen on a move to Anfield and has indicated he does not want to sign a new contract with the European champions.
Carragher responded sharply to a Sky Sports post asking whether Barcola was the right player to replace Salah, who left Liverpool on a free transfer this summer. "No he plays on the opposite flank!" Carragher wrote.
The former defender pointed out that Liverpool already have three players capable of operating from the left in Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo, and Florian Wirtz, while having no natural option on the right following Salah's exit.
When a Liverpool fan suggested Ngumoha could be switched to the right, Carragher pushed back, saying Ngumoha has always played from the left and that Gakpo should be the one to move. He added that he was uncertain where Wirtz would line up and stressed the club needs to sign a right winger before the season begins.
Barcola's situation at PSG
Barcola still has two years remaining on his contract at PSG, who believe £145 million is a fair price given his age and potential. Liverpool hope to negotiate that figure down, with reports suggesting his asking price was closer to £75 million last summer when the club first made contact.
Barcola is not a regular starter for manager Luis Enrique. Over the past two seasons at PSG he scored 34 goals and contributed 28 assists. He played in all eight of France's matches at this year's World Cup, scoring three goals.
Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea have also shown interest in the forward.
