PSG’s Barcola bench role fuels Liverpool transfer talk

Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday night, but the match’s biggest talking point came from the substitutes’ bench. Liverpool supporters had their eyes fixed on Bradley Barcola, who watched the entire game from the sidelines despite being named among the substitutes.

Barcola, the 23-year-old French winger, saw zero minutes of action under manager Luis Enrique, even as PSG made five substitutions during the contest. The decision to leave him unused in such a high-profile final has intensified speculation over a potential move to Anfield, where Liverpool are reportedly planning to deploy him on the left wing. According to Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool remain in active negotiations with PSG to finalize a deal before the transfer deadline. The Reds are said to be confident of securing Barcola’s signature, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha expected to take over his role on the right wing should the transfer go through. Plettenberg tweeted: Barcola is planned by Liverpool for the left wing. LFC remain in negotiations with PSG to reach an agreement until Deadline Day. LFC are confident. 0 minutes against Aston Villa tonight. PSG chairman’s cryptic response fuels transfer rumors PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi added further weight to the transfer story by addressing Barcola’s future directly after the match. Speaking to Canal Plus, Al-Khelaifi notably refused to rule out the possibility of Barcola leaving before the transfer window closes, despite the player’s bench role in the final. UEFA Super Cup was the stage for this high-stakes moment. Al-Khelaifi told the French broadcaster: "We’re working calmly, we don’t talk too much, we do. I can’t say whether he will leave or not… Today, he is a PSG player. We’ll see!" His remarks, shared by journalist Fabrizio Romano, suggest that PSG are open to discussions, reinforcing the idea that Barcola’s unused appearance may have been his last in a PSG shirt. Liverpool’s pursuit gains momentum after Super Cup The absence of Barcola from the pitch in Salzburg has only strengthened the impression that a deal is nearing completion. Liverpool’s active negotiations and PSG’s openness to discussions indicate that the transfer could be finalized before the deadline. The Reds’ interest in positioning Barcola on the left wing further underscores their commitment to the move. Should Barcola join Liverpool, the club is expected to rely on young talent Rio Ngumoha to fill the void on the right, highlighting the long-term strategy behind the potential signing. With the transfer window still open, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Barcola’s final minutes in a PSG shirt were indeed his last. For more updates on transfer news, follow our Manchester United’s season reshaped by Mainoo absence and Lammens exit and Manchester City Aston Villa: the adieux of Guardiola and Bernardo Silva.