Why Liverpool want to sign “the next Mbappe”

It is an open secret that Liverpool are looking to add more quality to their wide ranks in the summer transfer window, after Mohamed Salah left Anfield at the end of last season.

The Egyptian’s exit from the team has left Andoni Iraola without wide players to provide a level playing field in the final third ahead of next season.

Liverpool had RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande in their sights as a left-back signing, but he decided he preferred a move to Paris Saint-Germain, and it remains to be seen whether that deal will go through.

Another left-back who won’t be walking through the doors at Anfield as a new player this summer is Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers.

How Liverpool missed out on signing Morgan Rogers

The Reds contacted the Villans earlier this month to inquire about the England star’s status and be informed of any changes, as there are a number of clubs in the race for his signature at the time.

After scoring ten goals and providing six assists in the Premier League in the 2025/26 campaign, Rogers would be a great addition to the squad to solve Iraola’s problems in the side.

The 23-year-old star also went to the World Cup with England and started three games for the Three Lions, providing one assist and taking the shot that led to Jude Bellingham’s quarter-final winner against Norway.

However, the Reds and Arsenal were both blown out of the water by rivals Chelsea, who agreed a stunning £117m deal with Villa to sign the attacker, making him England’s most expensive player of all time.

Liverpool and the Gunners seem to have decided that they are not willing to pay this much money for the England player, which has allowed the Blues to win the race for his signature, pending medical tests and more.

Missing out on the Rogers and Diomande deals, however, means that the pool of wide talent available for FSG to pursue is dwindling, which is why they should move quickly in the coming weeks.

Liverpool are pursuing their own Morgan Rogers

Now, the club are already eyeing a player who could arrive at Anfield this summer as their version of the £117m Chelsea star soon.

Reports from Spain note that Liverpool are one of the teams in the race to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Reds have been offered the chance to sign the French winger during negotiations, and that it would take a deal in excess of £60m to secure his services.

It adds, however, that Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Barcelona have also been given the same opportunity, meaning it will not be a definite deal.

The Frenchman came on for Desire Doue at halftime and scored, a consolation goal for his country, while Rogers started without a goal or assist in the 10-goal game.

Barcola, who has been tipped for a fee of £128m, is similar to Rogers in the sense that both are left-sided players who can provide goals and assists regularly, although the Englishman can play a more important role.

Over the past two league seasons, the Frenchman has scored more goals and created more xA for his teammates in fewer appearances than the £117m star.

Barcola, described by journalist Robin Bairner as “the next Mbappe”, has scored 54 goals and created ‘big chances’ in 63 Ligue 1 games for PSG, proving he can be the consistent attacking force Liverpool are looking for.

The 23-year-old also scored five goals and provided eight assists in the Champions League in those two campaigns, winning the competition twice, while Rogers has yet to prove himself at that level.

Therefore, Liverpool could land a more impactful signing than the England international on the left side by pushing to win the race for Barcola, who could be their improved version of Rogers, in the coming weeks.