Liverpool have moved to the brink of securing Bradley Barcola after reaching a breakthrough in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain. The France international has been the club’s primary target throughout the summer, though initial progress was stalled by PSG’s firm £145m valuation. Following productive talks on Thursday night, the two clubs have settled on a compromise that will see the 23-year-old move to Anfield before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The financial structure of the deal involves a guaranteed payment of just over £100m, with additional performance-related bonuses for both the player and the team bringing the total value to approximately £120m. While the final legal details are still being ironed out, the agreement marks a significant shift in PSG’s stance. Barcola, who joined PSG from Lyon for €45m in 2023, signaled his desire to leave last month after falling out of favor under the current tactical setup, which has recently prioritized a front line featuring Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Barcola has two years remaining on his current contract but has refused to sign an extension. His path to a move was further cleared by PSG’s aggressive summer recruitment, which saw the arrival of Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche, and Mika Godts. Consequently, Barcola has been excluded from matchday squads this season. Should the transfer be finalized, he would become the second-most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history, trailing only the £125m acquisition of Alexander Isak.
Despite the potential arrival of Barcola, Liverpool remain in the market for a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right wing. The club has seen two bids for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh rejected and has explored the availability of Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr without submitting a formal offer. Meanwhile, the potential arrival of two new wingers has cast doubt on the future of Cody Gakpo, who is currently attracting interest from Manchester City and Tottenham. The report also notes that with add-ons based on individual and team success, taking the overall package to about £120m, liverpool have agreed to pay a guaranteed sum of just over £100m for the France international. The report also notes that but last night’s breakthrough, coupled with PSG’s willingness to lower their asking price for the 23-year-old, should allow Barcola to complete his move before Tuesd, the full structure of the deal has not been finalised.
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