Liverpool warned PSG may exploit Salah replacement search over Barcola

Michael Owen has warned former club Liverpool that Paris Saint-Germain could take advantage of their urgent need to replace Mohamed Salah by demanding an excessive fee for France winger Bradley Barcola.

Liverpool are searching for a new wide forward before the summer transfer window closes in September, following Salah’s departure for Turkish club Trabzonspor on a free transfer. The move came despite the Egypt international signing a new two-year contract with Liverpool in April.

Replacing Salah represents a major challenge for Liverpool after his nine years at Anfield. He scored 257 goals and provided 123 assists in 442 appearances for the club, helping them win the Premier League in 2020 and 2025, as well as the Champions League in 2019.

Barcola, 23, has emerged as Liverpool’s leading target this summer, although other players including Yan Diomande and Ibrahim Mbaye have also been linked with a move. Reports suggest PSG value Barcola at about £145m, despite the winger having so far played his club football exclusively in Ligue 1.

Owen believes PSG are in a strong negotiating position because Liverpool’s need for a replacement is clear. Barcola’s contract with the French club runs until 2028, meaning PSG are under no pressure to sell him.

“Barcola is the standout name at the moment and appears to be available, but he will be expensive,” Owen told Liverpool Echo. “Liverpool need a top signing in this position after the departures of Salah, Mane and Diaz. They may need two wingers, but they definitely need at least one. They seem interested in him and he has the credentials, but it will come down to the price.”

The former England striker said Liverpool had previously benefited from having Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz among a succession of high-quality players operating in wide positions.

“Liverpool had Salah, Mane and Diaz,” he added. “There have been many excellent players occupying the wide positions at the club over the years, but it seems there is a shortage of that type of player at Liverpool at the moment.”

Owen considered the reported £145m valuation “excessive and incredible” for a player who has not yet proved himself in the Premier League.

“He has played at the highest level, but at some point you have to say no,” he said. “If it reaches £145m, that is madness.”

Owen also revealed that he would have preferred Liverpool to sign Jarrod Bowen from West Ham as Salah’s successor. He believed that move would have made “a lot of sense”, although he acknowledged it was no longer an available option.

“The problem is that everybody knows how badly Liverpool need a top-class player, so they will have to pay a huge amount,” Owen concluded. “That may be what they need to do, but £145m is a massive figure.”