Liverpool have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to secure the services of French international Bradley Barcola for a fee that is believed to be around £120 million. While the transaction has not yet been sealed and certain contractual details remain under negotiation, sources say that a significant breakthrough has been achieved, bringing the two clubs closer to finalising the deal. Throughout the summer transfer window, a valuation gap existed between Liverpool and PSG, with the Parisian side initially demanding roughly £145 million for the 23‑year‑old winger.
Recent talks appear to have narrowed that disparity, with the £120 million figure now reportedly fixed as the amount Liverpool will pay for Barcola. If the transfer is completed, the Frenchman would become the club’s second‑most expensive acquisition ever, trailing only the record‑breaking £125 million signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last season. The potential Barcola signing would push Liverpool’s total outlay since the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign to just over £663 million.
This figure already includes the £116.5 million paid for Florian Wirtz, as well as the fees for recent arrivals such as Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong. Securing Barcola before the transfer deadline could also pave the way for Cody Gakpo’s departure, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City reportedly monitoring the Dutch forward. In addition to Barcola, Liverpool are actively pursuing another winger. Their current target is Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, whose situation has become complicated after failed negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion over the acquisition of Yankuba Minteh.
Brighton have set a price tag of £80 million, rejecting two earlier bids from Liverpool, the latest of which was valued at £60 million. Palace, meanwhile, have indicated that Sarr is not for sale at this stage, noting that he has three years remaining on his contract and that recent reports of him refusing to train were linked to a minor injury. Head coach Andoni Iraola commented on Thursday about the Barcola pursuit, stating, "We are trying to sign in that position.
We cannot talk about players that are, right now, not ours. It's evident we are trying to improve or to fill that position because we don't have the numbers. I hope we can have good news soon." His remarks underscore the urgency Liverpool feel in bolstering their attacking options, especially after the departure of Mohamed Salah at the end of last season.
Sky Sports has revealed that Lyon, the club that originally sold Barcola to PSG for £38.6 million (€45 million) in 2023, included a sell‑on clause in that deal. Consequently, the French champions stand to receive a share of any future transfer fee should Barcola move to Liverpool this summer. The inclusion of such a clause means PSG would realise a substantial profit, potentially setting a new record for the highest fee received for a player exiting Ligue 1. The transfer would also highlight the success of PSG’s recent recruitment, as Barcola has contributed to two Champions League triumphs in three seasons with the club.
Former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher offered his perspective on the potential signing, acknowledging Barcola’s quality but questioning whether he addresses Liverpool’s most pressing need. Carragher noted, "He's a great player, there's no doubt about that – I'd love to get Barcola at Liverpool. But he's a left winger for me. Liverpool's big thing that stands out like a sore thumb right now is replacing Mo Salah, a right winger.
And I don't think Liverpool have got anybody really in the squad who looks fully comfortable playing right wing." Carragher further explained that while Liverpool possess several players capable of operating on the left flank, the squad lacks a natural right‑winger to fill the void left by Salah. He suggested that acquiring Barcola alongside a dedicated right‑winger would be an ideal scenario, allowing the team to maintain balance across both sides of the attack. If the deal proceeds, Barcola would bring a blend of pace, technical ability and experience from top‑level European competition to Anfield. During his tenure at PSG, he has demonstrated versatility by playing on both wings, though his preferred position remains on the left.
His exposure to high‑pressure matches, including Champions League finals, could prove invaluable as Liverpool aim to restore their dominance domestically and in Europe. Overall, the negotiations surrounding Barcola illustrate Liverpool’s aggressive strategy in the summer market, as they seek to reinforce a squad that has undergone significant turnover. The club’s willingness to invest heavily reflects their ambition to compete at the highest level, while also navigating the complexities of player valuations, sell‑on clauses and competing interest from other elite clubs.
As the transfer window approaches its close, fans will be watching closely to see whether Liverpool can finalize the Barcola deal and simultaneously secure additional targets to reshape their attacking lineup for the upcoming season.