Liverpool have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the acquisition of French international Bradley Barcola, with the transfer fee set at approximately £120 million. While the deal is still subject to final negotiations and a few outstanding clauses, sources say that the two clubs have made a significant breakthrough after weeks of back‑and‑forth talks. Throughout the summer window, PSG had been firm on a valuation that hovered around £145 million, creating a noticeable gap between the clubs' expectations.
Recent developments suggest that Liverpool have managed to persuade the Parisian side to lower their asking price, bringing the figure down to a fixed £120 million that Liverpool are prepared to meet for the 23‑year‑old winger. If the transfer is completed, Barcola would become Liverpool’s second‑most expensive signing in the club’s history, trailing only the record‑breaking £125 million acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last season.
The potential addition of Barcola would also push Liverpool’s cumulative spending since the close of the 2024/25 campaign to just over £663 million, a tally that already includes the £116.5 million outlay for Florian Wirtz as well as the signings of Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Muñoz, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong. The timing of the Barcola deal could have further ramifications for the Reds’ squad composition. Should the transfer be sealed before the window closes, it would likely pave the way for Dutch forward Cody Gakpo to depart Anfield, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City reportedly monitoring his situation. In addition to Barcola, Liverpool are also hunting for a second winger.
Their current target is Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, who has been linked with a move after a difficult negotiation with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh stalled. Brighton have so far rejected two Liverpool bids, holding out for around £80 million. Speaking on Thursday, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola addressed 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." Iraola’s comments underscored the club’s desire to bolster the wide areas, even as they continue to assess other potential arrivals. Crystal Palace, however, appear reluctant to part with Sarr at this stage.
The 28‑year‑old winger has three years remaining on his contract and the club has publicly declared that he is not for sale. Recent reports suggested Sarr missed Palace’s opening weekend loss to Everton, with rumors of a training boycott circulating.
Those claims have been largely dismissed, with insiders indicating that the winger is currently nursing a minor injury. An additional nuance to the Barcola saga involves a sell‑on clause tied to his previous transfer. When PSG secured Barcola from Lyon in 2023 for roughly £38.6 million (€45 million), the deal included a provision that would grant Lyon a percentage of any future sale.
Sky Sports News has confirmed that Lyon stand to receive a share of the £120 million fee should the move to Liverpool go ahead, meaning the French champions will net a substantial profit on a player who helped them capture two Champions League titles in three seasons. From a tactical perspective, there is some debate about whether Barcola is the ideal fit for Liverpool’s current needs. Former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher expressed admiration for Barcola’s abilities but questioned the positional alignment.
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 have several players capable of operating on the left flank, the pressing requirement is a right‑winger to fill the void left by Salah’s departure at the end of last season. He added that securing Barcola alongside a right‑wing signing would be an ideal scenario, allowing the squad to maintain balance across both sides of the attack. Beyond the immediate transfer talk, Liverpool’s broader recruitment strategy appears to be focused on adding depth and versatility.
The club’s recent expenditure on young talents such as Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike reflects a commitment to building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. The potential arrival of Barcola, a player who has demonstrated the ability to perform on both wings, could provide manager Iraola with additional tactical flexibility, especially in high‑intensity matches across the Premier League and European competitions.
In summary, Liverpool are on the cusp of finalising a £120 million deal for Bradley Barcola, a move that would rank as the club’s second‑largest transfer ever. The agreement is still subject to final terms, but the groundwork appears solid.
The signing would not only boost Liverpool’s attacking options but also influence other pending moves, including the possible exit of Cody Gakpo and the pursuit of Ismaila Sarr. As the transfer window nears its close, all eyes will be on Anfield to see whether these negotiations culminate in a successful summer for the Reds.