Liverpool's Path to Barcola Clears as PSG Wrap Up Akliouche Deal

PSG are orchestrating a significant overhaul of their attacking arsenal, and the dominoes are beginning to fall in Liverpool's favour.

Having secured back-to-back Champions League triumphs under Luis Enrique, the Parisians are reshaping their forward contingent with ruthless efficiency. Goncalo Ramos has already departed for AC Milan in a €74m deal, and Bradley Barcola could follow—provided PSG land two marquee replacements.

The first piece of the puzzle appears to be locked in. Yan Diomande has signalled his intention to join PSG rather than Liverpool, clearing the path for the RB Leipzig man to move to the Ligue 1 champions.

The second prong of PSG's recruitment drive has just crystallised. Maghnes Akliouche, the Monaco winger, has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with PSG, according to RMC Sport's Fabrice Hawkins. Discussions between Paris and Monaco over the transfer fee are now underway, with a deal considered very much achievable.

Once PSG complete both signings, Barcola will be free to leave—and that prospect has Liverpool salivating.

However, the Reds aren't operating unopposed. Arsenal are also hunting for a world-class left winger following their sale of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for €18m plus €2m in add-ons. The Daily Mail reports that Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is simultaneously pursuing both Barcola and Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa.

That dual approach, though, masks Arsenal's true preference. Both The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano have confirmed that Rogers remains Arsenal's primary target, with Barcola merely a secondary option.

Romano recently outlined the situation: Arsenal have made significant headway in negotiations with Rogers personally, though Aston Villa's £130 million asking price presents a considerable hurdle. The north London club are hopeful of engineering a creative solution, potentially through add-ons or alternative payment structures.

With Arsenal's focus firmly on Rogers and PSG closing in on their twin acquisitions, the pathway for Liverpool to land Barcola is crystallising. The French winger won't come cheap—PSG value him at over €135m (£116m)—but the pieces are aligning for a move that looked far more complicated just weeks ago.