Liverpool finally have the finish line in sight. FSG have reached an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain for the transfer of Bradley Barcola.

It's taken a long, long time, but the Reds now expect to welcome the world-class French forward to Anfield for the rest of the 2025/26 season - and onwards, with a £100m fixed fee agreed, and a further £20m in bonuses.

Crucial creases are still being ironed out, but the fact remains that Liverpool are now on the home run for their top summer target, a game-changing forward who has been described as "one of the best left wingers in the world" by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson.

This is the time to get excited for the Liverpool persuasion, but Barcola's arrival will impact the existing attacking crop to varying degrees.

How Bradley Barcola will affect Liverpool's forwards

First, let's look at the positives. Barcola provides Liverpool with the elite attacking edge that they have so craved down the left wing since Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich one year ago. Failing to directly the Colombian was a grave mistake, and Arne Slot, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards were all implicated.

But the PSG superstar packs a similar punch and more. He is a deadly and direct attacker, not only endowed with the speed and prolific edge to hand Andoni Iraola the tools he needs to rekindle this stuttering frontline, but he also offers an outlet for the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to connect with in different ways. Both big-money superstars have struggled since joining Liverpool.

However, with Victor Munoz having already been signed from Osasuna for £35.5m this summer, Barcola's arrival might spell the end for Cody Gakpo, who is being pursued by Tottenham Hotspur. The Dutchman scored against Newcastle United last weekend, and is considered a priority target for the Lilywhites as the transfer window approaches the final stretch.

In Barcola, Liverpool are landing a statement signing. An upgrade on someone like Gakpo, who is clinical but one-dimensional. That said, Liverpool still need to sign a right-sided forward - and preferably a deep-sitting midfielder too.

Liverpool's efforts to sign a right winger are proving somewhat embarrassing. FSG cannot find the right player for the right price, and after turning away from Brighton's Yankuba Minteh after being met with an £80m asking price, they have fallen on Ismaila Sarr.

Sarr, a long-time Liverpool target, has been a thorn in their sides for many years, seemingly scoring against the Reds every time he meets them. However, Crystal Palace have already rejected an informal £60m offer, intimating the need for an astronomical bid before they considering cashing in.

How Liverpool can move on from Ismaila Sarr pursuit

Rio Ngumoha left a lot to be desired in a new role on the right wing as Liverpool climbed back to secure an opening-day draw at St. James' Park. It's not enough, and sporting director Richard Hughes must pull off a blinder before drawing the curtain on his up-and-down term at Anfield and jetting off to Saudi Arabia for a new chapter.

Sarr scored 21 goals across 45 matches in all competitions last season as Oliver Glasner's Palace won the Community Shield and the Conference League. The year before, the 28-year-old played a leading role in securing a historic FA Cup title.

Well, according to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are exploring a controversial late deal to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton. The Senegalese forward has already rejected an approach from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, preferring to remain in the Premier League.

Al-Hilal were willing to meet the Toffees' £70m asking price, and TEAMtalk reveal that Manchester City are now preparing an £80m offer as Enzo Maresca rebuilds from Pep Guardiola's ashes.

Ndiaye has been Everton's main man since joining the Merseysiders from Marseille two years ago. Last season in the Premier League, he only scored six goals and provided three assists, but that certainly doesn't invalidate his potential as a significant upgrade on someone such as Sarr for Liverpool.

The Reds would have to pay more. £80m or perhaps higher still. However, Ndiaye would be a transformative signing, and in a more potent attacking setting, might start to yank those numbers up. After all, he's not wasteful in front of goal, just lacking consistency of opportunity for a side such as Everton.

Sarr and Ndiaye share an X-factor and a sharp edge in front of goal. Mavericks, they are stylish, seat-raising players, with Ndiaye having been hailed for having "magic in his boots" by Everton writer Lyndon Lloyd, Sarr is also a special kind of attacker, albeit lacking the consistency and relentlessness that charges Ndiaye as Everton's talisman.

If Liverpool manage to sign this electric-paced winger to complement Barcola on the alternate wing, Iraola would have all he needs to establish himself as one of Europe's leading managers.

Liverpool, for sure, would have the tools they need to return to the top, and Ndiaye would pack a more powerful punch than Sarr, bringing a similar flavour but with far more potential to develop into a superstar.

Sarr might have outscored his countryman in the Premier League last season, but there's no question that Ndiaye is the more talented of the two.

He has plenty of untapped potential that Liverpool could realise, and while it would be one of the most controversial signings on Merseyside for quite some time, there's no question that Liverpool would send shockwaves across the Premier League, should they somehow manage to pull it off.