Liverpool are making phone calls to sign a player FSG believe is ‘world-class’ as they look to land their second new summer signing after Victor Munoz, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Liverpool swooped in out of nowhere to hijack Newcastle United’s move to sign Spain international Munoz from Osasuna last month, but it is the only new business they have done with Jeremy Jacquet’s summer arrival confirmed after a deal was agreed for the French centre-back in the January transfer window.

The Reds had their eyes on exciting RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande heading into the summer, and at one point there was confidence that the player wanted to move to Anfield and wear the famous red shirt.

However, the 19-year-old has instead decided he would prefer to join Paris Saint-Germain instead, with the Champions League holders currently working on deals to sign the Ivory Coast international and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche.

Liverpool have been forced to turn to alternative options as a result, and PSG’s pursuit of Diomande and Akliouche might actually turn out to be a positive for Andoni Iraola and the recruitment team.

Should both deals get done, it is more likely that Bradley Barcola will be allowed to leave the Parc des Princes, with Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele already two of their most regular starters on the flanks.

Romano: Liverpool Making Phone Calls to Sign Barcola

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According to Romano, Liverpool have now put Barcola at the very top of their winger wishlist as they look to replace Salah.

The Reds tried to sign the France international from PSG last summer with FSG believing he is ‘world-class’, but no move materialised and the 23-year-old ended up remaining with the Ligue 1 champions.

However, Liverpool and Premier League winners Arsenal are making phone calls about signing the forward, who is currently preparing for a World Cup quarter-final against Morocco on Thursday evening.

Issuing a new update on Barcola’s situation and Liverpool’s interest, Romano said on his YouTube channel:

“I maintain my information since April, and I stand by my information. I keep telling you, don’t forget Liverpool, because both Liverpool and Arsenal are calling for Barcola.

“Liverpool have the player at the very top of their shortlist since the summer transfer window 2025 and Liverpool remain interested in Barcola, so Barcola is 100% on the list of Liverpool. I maintain my information.”

While there may be a fear that no deal can be done until after France either win the World Cup or are knocked out of it, Liverpool did complete a deal for Munoz, who is still in the competition with Spain.

Liverpool Eyeing Move for Real Madrid Star

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There could also be changes in Liverpool’s midfield this summer, with Curtis Jones continuing to be linked with a move away and doubts over the long-term future of Alexis Mac Allister at Anfield.

Liverpool could bring in a new midfielder, and they are being linked with a move to sign another France international in Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga.

The 23-year-old could be sold by Real this summer and he could also provide competition for Milos Kerkez too, given he has featured regularly at left-back for the La Liga giants in recent seasons.

Manchester United are expected to welcome one of their for-sale stars to return to base after he is done with this summer’s World Cup. The Red Devils have struggled to land targets so far in this window, but they have landed Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson pending a second medical.

Michael Carrick wants another midfielder to replace Casemiro, and that search is ongoing after Tottenham beat Man Utd to the signing of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes. United could also go for a winger after the midfield is taken care of, and we could yet see sales before the end of the transfer window in early September.

Rashford to be sold, but not yet

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Marcus Rashford has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer after his impressive Barcelona loan spell. The forward scored 14 and assisted as many for the Blaugrana last season, playing a central role in them winning their second successive LaLiga title.

Rashford fell out with former boss Erik ten Hag, leading to two loan spells, but there have been more than one change of manager since then, and in Michael Carrick, he is likely to find an ally. But there is also a business reality to the situation, and Rashford is on a huge wage that actually increased this summer.

For that reason, according to The Guardian, it remains United’s priority to offload him, but the club’s previously harsh stance will not extend to Carrick’s reign. While Rashford is a United player, he will be welcomed back for pre-season training, after the World Cup, along with first-team players, and he is actually expected to start the new season at Old Trafford.

Rashford’s likely suitors this summer

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Rashford is likely to have options this summer, but he will likely need to be patient in finding his next club. Barcelona had the chance to sign him permanently for just £26million, but they did not act, deciding to concentrate fully on their search for a Robert Lewandowski replacement. Barca know that could be a costly venture, and they don’t want to limit their striker search with any signings before that.

United are now said to be asking for £40million, but that fee could come down, given clubs know the Old Trafford club want to shift Rashford’s wages. When it comes to maximising profit on a sale, it is never good for others to know there is a need to sell.

Elsewhere, Tottenham have been linked with a move as they continue their club-record window as far as spending goes. Roberto De Zerbi needs a new winger, and he is likely to prioritise a winger who can also play up top, meaning Rashford fits the bill. But Spurs will also have other targets this summer.

For neutrals watching at home, Argentina’s 3-2 comeback win against Egypt had everything a World Cup fan could dream of: a missed penalty, a controversially ruled-out goal, and a stunning comeback victory. However, most Egyptian supporters won’t feel that way.

The game started so well for Hossam Hassan’s side, as Yasser Ibrahim put them in front before Lionel Messi missed from 12 yards. Mostafa Ziko then made it 2-0, although that only came after Egyptian had had a goal controversially ruled out.

From that position of dominance, Mohamed Salah and his teammates fell to pieces as Cristian Romero pulled one back, before Messi levelled just four minutes later. Enzo Fernandes then headed in to complete the stunning comeback in the 93rd minute.

After the game, there have been cries of corruption and conspiracy, but former Premier League referee Graham Scott has rubbished the claims.

Why Egypt Were Furious After Losing to Argentina

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Some key events went against Egypt, which left manager Hassan furious at full-time. Speaking about Ziko’s goal, which was ruled out, he angrily told the media:

“They want Argentina and Messi to stay in the World Cup for marketing. If they wanted Argentina to win, why invite other teams to participate? This match was clearly rigged, and the whole world witnessed it.

“We were better than Argentina, and football is unfair. We had a clear penalty that the referee didn’t award, and Ziko’s goal at the start of the second half was disallowed, even though it was perfectly legitimate.”

Adding to that, a VAR expert has since claimed that Salah should have been awarded a penalty in the build-up to the 93rd-minute winner. Hassan was so angry with it all, he claimed: “I will boycott watching the remaining matches of the tournament as a form of protest.”

On top of this, Egypt have filed a complaint and posted a stunning statement on social media, noting: “Several key incidents raised serious concerns and left profound questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly influenced the course of the game.”

Former Referee Highlights ‘Unnoticed’ Error

Writing an article for The Athletic, in which he claimed “talk of a ‘conspiracy’ is nonsense”, former Premier League referee Scott has explained why one moment from the game proves that French referee Francois Letexier did not favour Argentina blindly. He noted that the official showed ‘common sense’ to not book Egyptian player Ziko in one instance, even though rules meant he should have:

“There was another refereeing error that would have gone unnoticed by most, as Ziko should have received a yellow card for removing his shirt, even though the goal was later disallowed.

“Referee Letexier showed common sense in the circumstances by letting the incident pass and would have been criticised had he stuck to the law. It’s another example of how people in football say they want consistency — until they see what it looks like.”

He added: “There are plenty who, wrongly, believed that FIFA had ordained an Argentina victory, and that there is a conspiracy to have Lionel Messi end his illustrious career by lifting the World Cup again on July 19. I am certain that the World Cup officials at their Florida training camp are beyond reproach.”

Scott then summed up his feelings, noting: “Refs make mistakes and sometimes these benefit the big clubs or powerful countries. When this happens, conspiracy theorists spread their poison. Such arguments fall away when the underdog benefits. At this World Cup, the beneficiaries of refereeing errors or highly dubious calls have included Scotland (against Brazil), Senegal (against France) and Paraguay (against Germany).”