Liverpool Target Elite Winger as Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola Links Grow
Liverpool are expected to prioritise the signing of a “top winger” this summer, according to Lewis Steele, with conversations around Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola continuing to gather momentum.
During Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast alongside host Dave Davis, Steele offered insight into Liverpool’s attacking plans as the club prepares for another major rebuild under Arne Slot.
While Liverpool’s season has been dominated by criticism over performances and questions around Slot’s future, Steele made it clear that recruitment plans are already taking shape behind the scenes.
Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande Remain Credible Liverpool Links
Discussing the latest developments, Davis referenced reports around both Diomande and Barcola, noting that Liverpool’s recruitment team appear to be weighing up different profiles across the forward line.
Steele responded carefully but significantly.
“They’re both credible links,” he said.
That assessment matters because Liverpool’s search for attacking reinforcements has become increasingly urgent after an inconsistent campaign in front of goal. Steele explained that both players come with obvious complications, particularly financially.
“They’ve both got big price tags,” he said, before adding that Liverpool also do not yet know whether either player could be persuaded to move to Anfield.
Still, Steele’s expectation was unmistakably clear.
“I think it’s definite they’re signing a winger, a top winger,” he told Davis.
That line will immediately stand out to Liverpool supporters given the uncertainty around the current attack and the wider criticism of Liverpool’s offensive play this season.
Liverpool Weighing Up Right Wing Priorities
One of the more revealing parts of the discussion centred around positional preference. Davis referenced suggestions that Liverpool may ultimately prioritise a specialist right winger rather than another left sided attacker.
Steele agreed that Liverpool would “prefer right winger”, although he stopped short of ruling out Barcola entirely despite the Paris Saint-Germain forward operating predominantly from the left.
That flexibility reflects Liverpool’s broader uncertainty in attack. Injuries, inconsistent form and tactical confusion have all contributed to a difficult year under Slot, and Steele repeatedly stressed throughout the podcast that the team currently lacks rhythm and cohesion going forward.
The profile of Diomande also remains intriguing. Davis noted that the RB Leipzig attacker has “revolved around Liverpool for a while”, although Steele admitted he had not yet heard concrete developments regarding a move.
“Not yet to be honest, so can’t really comment on that one just yet,” Steele said.
Even so, he acknowledged Liverpool’s scouting work around Leipzig and German football more generally, suggesting the interest should not be dismissed outright.
Summer Recruitment Carries Huge Importance for Liverpool
The winger discussion came against the backdrop of wider concerns surrounding Liverpool’s trajectory under Arne Slot. Steele repeatedly questioned whether the current squad is capable of recovering from what he described elsewhere in the podcast as “a catastrophe”.
That reality places even greater importance on Liverpool’s next transfer window. Steele acknowledged that Liverpool “haven’t acted” on their preferred winger target yet, but suggested movement could accelerate once the season officially ends.
“Maybe next week it’ll start to ramp up,” he explained.
For now, Liverpool’s shortlist appears fluid. Yet the message from Steele was consistent throughout the conversation, Liverpool believe a major attacking addition is necessary, and both Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola remain firmly in the conversation as the club searches for a top class winger this summer.
