Liverpool plotting serious move to sign £51m star

All in all, Andoni Iraola has made a solid start at the helm of a transitional Liverpool side this season – but there’s no question that the Reds can offer a lot more over the coming months.

Liverpool fell by the wayside under Arne Slot’s management last season, just about clawing their way into the Champions League by finishing fifth in the Premier League.

After such a disappointing season, Liverpool needed to make a statement at the start of a new chapter, and while this is a squad pocked with imbalances, FSG did pull off the £123m signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain – but the French forward still needs to offer more.

Why Bradley Barcola needs to offer more at Liverpool

Barcola can’t control the staggering financial sum that Liverpool had to pay to bring him over to the Premier League this summer, but there’s no question that the Les Bleus forward can sharpen up in front of goal.

This is not to say that Barcola should be written off as a flop. It’s far too early for that, and his world-class quality goes without question. That said, Liverpool still aren’t clicking in attack this season, for a number of reasons, and Barcola needs to bring more creativity and impetus to the table, as does Florian Wirtz.

Yet to break his Premier League duck, Barcola did score a hat-trick against LASK in the Champions League, also registering three assists from his seven appearances in the top flight. There’s a lot of promise, but we need to see more sharpness and consistency if Liverpool are to challenge for titles this term.

REUTERS/Murad Sezer

However, Barcola has been slapped into a system which is hardly firing on all cylinders right now. If Liverpool can make one or two astute signings in 2027, Barcola may yet become a superstar for a title-winning Liverpool team.

Liverpool showing serious interest in dream Barcola partner

Liverpool need to be more creative in the Premier League, and it’s not only the forwards who are accountable. In fact, Liverpool need far more progression coming from midfield and the flanks, and FSG look like they have their sights set on a left-back who could make a big difference.

Well, according to Fussball News, Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper has emerged as one of the most sought-after full-backs in the game right now, and Liverpool are right at the front of the queue to snap him up in 2027. However, the Seagulls won’t want him to leave for cheap, actually demanding a whopping £51m for the defender.

Brighton signed De Cuyper, 25 years old, from Club Brugge in a deal worth around £17m last year, and since then, the buccaneering defender has only gone from strength to strength, showing many of the qualities needed to succeed at a club like Liverpool.

He’s been in fine fettle this season, and Fabian Hurzeler’s high-intensity, Jurgen Klopp-esque tactical identity could see the Belgian make a seamless from the south coast to Merseyside, where he would stand a great chance of displacing the struggling Milos Kerkez as Liverpool’s first-choice left-back.

De Cuyper was actually described as “one of the best left-backs” to be emerging onto the scene in 2024 by talent scout Jacek Kulig. His performances with Brighton since 2025 only corroborate that point.

This season, the left-sider has created 2.3 chances on average each game, a further illustration of his progressive nature, potentially perfect to feed into a fleet-footed and direct winger such as Barcola.

After all, Kerkez has struggled to connect with wingers such as Barcola and Cody Gakpo since signing for Liverpool, whereas De Cuyper plays with the freedom of someone fully convinced in their own ability.

Reuters/Lee Smith

Liverpool made a mistake in signing Kerkez, but De Cuyper would bring a more Iraola-tailored style which could help create a semblance of connection down the left channel.

It might just pay off as Barcola looks to establish himself in the Premier League.