Liverpool are set to place their opening bid to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, but they have already identified their ‘dream’ alternative if they fail to land the Frenchman.

Liverpool are ramping up their attempts to land their Mohamed Salah replacement, after manager Andoni Iraola recently made it clear that they have to sign another winger in this window.

The Reds may have brought in Victor Munoz, but they are still yet to land the high-profile heir to Salah they crave, having already missed out on another top target in RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.

The Merseyside outfit have now started to work on a deal to bring Barcola to Anfield, with an exit opening up after it was reported that the 23-year-old won’t be extending his contract that expires in the summer of 2028.

Liverpool already look to have the buy-in of the France international, who has agreed to join the club after speaking to Iraola and club executives according to L’Equipe, but the difficulty will come in trying to agree a fee with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Champions League holders are said to be looking for €170m for the attacker, having seen some of the prices for another attacking players this summer.

Liverpool Identify Rayan as ‘Dream’ Barcola Alternative

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool have identified Bournemouth winger Rayan as a ‘dream’ alternative to Barcola, if they fail to agree a deal with PSG for the France international.

The Reds currently view Barcola’s price tag as being too high given he only has two years remaining on his deal at the Parc des Princes, and they may feel they can get better value elsewhere, with Koln’s Said El Mala, Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh named as potential targets.

However, it is Rayan who they really like, with the Brazilian teenager’s £85m release clause coming into effect in 2027.

The 19-year-old only joined the Cherries in January of this year, but he quickly made a big impact with five goals and two assists in 15 Premier League outings for the south coast outfit, and has been labelled as a ‘world-class talent’ by teammate Marcus Tavernier.

Liverpool Ready to Offer £80m for Barcola

via Reuters

According to the same report, Liverpool’s initial valuation of Barcola is around £80m, as they get ready to launch their first bid for the Frenchman.

While PSG point to the price tags of the likes of Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers this summer for their £145m valuation, the Merseyside outfit will point to the fact that the attacker only has two years remaining on his contract and won’t be signing a new one.

TalkSPORT also claim that even though there are suggestions that the 23-year-old may have already agreed terms with Liverpool, those reports are premature with only preliminary discussions taking place so far.

While Liverpool view Barcola as the ideal signing as things stand, they have no plans to overpay for him in what is an inflated market.

Manchester United are ready to sign a big-name striker on a free transfer this summer if Joshua Zirkzee leaves Old Trafford before the September 1 deadline.

While Man United have focused on rebuilding their midfield, with a third addition still likely to arrive after the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, club chiefs are still considering strengthening other areas on the pitch too.

The Red Devils have been linked with many left-sided attackers throughout the summer, including Morgan Rogers, Yan Diomande and Rafeal Leao, but any potential move there is unlikely to happen unless Marcus Rashford departs.

The current plan is for the England international to be given a chance to show his worth in pre-season by manager Michael Carrick, who is said to be keen to work with the attacker.

A big offer could change their stance as the club remain keen on reducing their wage bill, with Rashford one of the top earners in the team.

Left-back is another position where they potentially look short of depth, given their fixture list will be increasing this season because of their return to the Champions League.

As with Rashford, an exit for Zirkzee could see United move for a new centre-forward too, and they know the exact profile they want.

Dusan Vlahovic ‘Mentioned’ as Man United Target

According to the i Paper, three Italian clubs are considering making a move to bring Zirkzee back to Serie A after the Dutchman joined United from Bologna.

The report says that while the Red Devils are actively looking to sell the Netherlands international, they are open to offers for a player who has ultimately failed to make an impact at Old Trafford.

Juventus, AS Roma and Como are all said to have expressed an interest in the 25-year-old, lining up loan offers with either an option or an obligation to buy, although United would prefer a permanent sale now.

While no targets are being actively targeted while Zirkzee is still at the club, if he does leave then United could look to sign an experienced centre-forward to replace him on a short-term basis.

One player who has been mentioned is Dusan Vlahovic, who is one of the most intriguing free agents on the market after he left Juventus following the expiry of his contract.

The Serbia international, described as ‘one of the best strikers in Europe’ by former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, was on big money at Juve, but also had an impressive record of 68 goals in 168 appearances for the Old Lady.

Man United Miss Out on ‘Perfect’ Striker Option

Via REUTERS/Scott Heppell

United look set to miss out on a ‘perfect’ striker option close to home, according to the same report, and one they are very familiar with.

If the Red Devils wanted an older striker with Premier League experience to help with Benjamin Sesko’s development, there aren’t many better than their former star, Danny Welbeck.

There had been little speculation about the Brighton and Hove Albion striker’s future this summer, but out of the blue Chelsea now look set to swoop in and bring him to Stamford Bridge.

United fans would have loved to have had Welbeck back at Old Trafford, but they will have to look at alternative options if Zirkzee completes his exit.

Tottenham Hotspur are planning another huge transfer even if they are successful in landing Savinho from Manchester City.

Tottenham‘s current focus is on trying to agree a deal with City for the Brazil international, having failed to do the same 12 months ago.

Even though Spurs have a new manager in Roberto De Zerbi now from their interest a year ago, the Brazilian has still emerged as their top winger target in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.

The north London outfit appear ready to spend big on the 22-year-old, but any deal could depend on City landing their preferred target as a replacement.

De Zerbi has made it clear that he wants at least a ‘couple’ of new additions to his frontline before the September 1 deadline, having already transformed his defence and midfield ahead of the new season.

The Italian made it clear that they need to be ‘important’ players, suggesting he wants two players who are guaranteed starters to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs have clearly decided that Savinho is at that level as they pursue a move for the South American, who has just told City that he wants to go.

Tottenham are also looking at striker options too, with doubts over the future of Richarlison.

Tottenham to Make ‘Proper’ Move for Junior Kroupi

via Reuters

Tottenham will have to sign a new striker if Richarlison does go, and they could bring in one regardless, given the huge ambition they have already shown this summer, breaking their transfer record twice.

Now, a top Spurs source has confirmed on X that while they work on finalising a deal to sign Savinho from City, and find solutions for the exit-linked Lucas Bergvall, Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario, their attentions will turn to Bournemouth attacker Eli Junior Kroupi afterwards.

Junior Kroupi, labelled a ‘world-class talent’ by teammate Marcus Tavernier, is on the radar of every top club across Europe following an outstanding breakthrough Premier League campaign with the Cherries, where he scored 13 goals in 33 top flight appearances as a teenager.

Romano: Barcelona Open Talks to Sign Tottenham Target

According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham could face stiff competition in their bid to try and land Junior Kroupi in this window.

Firstly, Bournemouth are likely to demand huge money for a player they want to keep to be part of their first-ever European campaign next term, having already lost the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Marcos Senesi in 2026.

Now, Romano has revealed that La Liga giants Barcelona have opened talks with the Cherries and the player’s camp about a potential switch to the Camp Nou, as they look for alternative signings to Julian Alvarez.

Barca have been trying all summer to bring the Atletico Madrid striker to the club, but the outfit from the Spanish capital are insisting that he stays where he is.