Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has acknowledged that strengthening the club’s wide attacking options remains a priority this summer, although he declined to comment on reports linking the Reds with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
The Spaniard was speaking as Liverpool continue reshaping their squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign following the departure of Mohamed Salah, whose exit left a significant gap in the club’s attacking line.
While speculation continues to gather pace around several high-profile targets, Iraola made it clear that he would not discuss players currently under contract with other clubs.
“I cannot talk about players from other teams,” Iraola told Sky Sports when asked about Barcola and Diomande.
Although he refused to address specific names, the Liverpool boss openly admitted that recruiting another winger is one of the club’s major objectives before the transfer window closes.
“It is clear we need a player there, I wouldn’t say to replace Mo Salah, but we need one more winger.
“There are other situations which are not so clear, we have very good players injured. [Hugo] Ekitike, [Conor] Bradley and Giovanni [Leoni], players we love.
“We have to take decisions, sometimes it is hard. Sometimes there is a player we can sign to improve as a team, those decisions we are analysing.”
Those comments provide the clearest indication yet that Liverpool’s recruitment team remains active in the market despite already strengthening the squad.
The Reds recently completed the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna in a deal worth £34.5 million, adding another exciting young talent to Iraola’s evolving squad.
However, replacing the creativity, goals and experience lost following Salah’s departure remains one of the club’s biggest challenges.
Barcola has emerged as one of the names consistently linked with a move to Anfield, while RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has also been identified as a player admired by Liverpool’s recruitment department.
Reports, however, suggest Diomande currently favours a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Rather than becoming drawn into transfer speculation, Iraola focused on Liverpool’s recruitment philosophy.
“At other clubs, they present you with players you don’t know. With Liverpool, when they present them, you already know them.
“It is not easy, it has to be players who have shown a good level.”
That statement highlights the unique pressures associated with managing one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool are expected to compete for elite-level talent every transfer window, but the challenge extends beyond identifying quality players.
Every signing must possess the mentality, consistency and ability to thrive under the intense scrutiny that comes with wearing the famous red shirt.
Iraola’s measured approach also suggests Liverpool will not rush into making a signing simply to satisfy expectations.
Instead, the club appears determined to recruit a player capable of genuinely improving the squad rather than merely filling the void left by Salah.
With pre-season preparations gathering momentum, Liverpool supporters can expect further transfer activity before the campaign begins.
Whether that player is Bradley Barcola, Yan Diomande or another target yet to emerge remains uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that Iraola has identified another winger as a key piece in Liverpool’s rebuild—and the club will continue searching until they believe they have found the right fit for the next chapter at Anfield.
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