Liverpool have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Paris Saint‑Germain to bring French international Bradley Barcola to Anfield for a fee that is expected to total around £120 million. While the transfer is not yet officially sealed and a few contractual details remain under discussion, sources say the two clubs have finally broken the deadlock that had persisted throughout the summer. The main sticking point in the negotiations had been the valuation of the 23‑year‑old winger. Earlier in the window PSG had been demanding roughly £145 million for Barcola, a figure that Liverpool deemed excessive.
After a series of back‑and‑forth offers, both sides appear to have settled on the lower £120 million number, which is now regarded as the fixed price Liverpool will pay should the deal go through. If the transfer materialises, Barcola would become Liverpool’s second‑most expensive signing in the club’s modern era, trailing only the record‑breaking £125 million acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last summer. The potential arrival of Barcola would also push Liverpool’s cumulative spending since the close of the 2024/25 season 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 wider ramifications for Liverpool’s squad planning. Securing the French winger before the transfer deadline would likely free up the club to offload Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, who has attracted interest from both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Moreover, Liverpool are still on the hunt for a second new winger. Their current target is Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, a player who has been the subject of prolonged and difficult talks with Brighton over the potential sale of Yankuba Minteh.
Brighton have so far rejected two Liverpool bids, holding firm on a valuation of about £80 million after turning down a £60 million offer. Speaking on Thursday about the Barcola pursuit, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said, “We are actively trying to secure a player for that position. At the moment we can’t discuss players who aren’t ours yet. It’s clear we need to strengthen that area because we lack depth.
I hope we can bring some good news soon.” Iraola’s side have also opened negotiations with Crystal Palace regarding a possible move for Sarr. However, Palace appear reluctant to part with their 28‑year‑old winger at this stage, noting that he has three years remaining on his contract and is currently dealing with an injury that kept him out of the club’s opening‑week defeat to Everton.
Reports of a training boycott have been dismissed as speculation. In a related development, Sky Sports News has learned that Lyon will receive a percentage of any future transfer fee if Barcola leaves PSG this summer. The French champions originally signed the winger from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.6 million (€45 million) and inserted a sell‑on clause into the contract. While the £120 million figure with Liverpool is not yet finalised, talks are reportedly progressing well, with PSG’s president and sporting director continuing discussions that began during the Champions League draw in Monaco.
Should the transfer go through, it would set a new record for a player departing the French Ligue 1, as PSG would realise a substantial profit on a player who has contributed to two Champions League triumphs in three seasons. The financial windfall would underline PSG’s strategy of buying young talent, developing them, and then selling at a premium.
Former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher has offered his perspective, stating that while Barcola is undeniably a talented player, he may not be the ideal fit for Liverpool’s immediate needs. Carragher argued that Liverpool should prioritise signing a right‑winger to replace Mohamed Salah, who left the club at the end of last season. Barcola predominantly operates on the left flank, although he has occasionally featured on the opposite wing at PSG. Carragher told Sky Sports News, “He’s a great player, no doubt about that – I’d love to see Barcola at Liverpool.
But he’s a left winger for me. Liverpool’s biggest issue right now is replacing Mo Salah, a right winger. We don’t have anyone in the squad who feels completely comfortable on the right wing.
We have a few players who could play on the left, but that’s not the position we need to fill at the moment.” He added, “If Liverpool were to sign Barcola and also bring in a right winger, that would be fantastic. But the priority this summer should be a right‑wing replacement for Salah.” In summary, Liverpool appear to be closing in on a £120 million deal for Bradley Barcola, a move that would make him the club’s second‑most expensive signing and potentially trigger a cascade of further transfers, including the departure of Cody Gakpo and the pursuit of additional wingers.
While the agreement is still subject to final legal and medical checks, the breakthrough in negotiations signals that Anfield could soon welcome a new French talent, provided the club also addresses the tactical balance highlighted by pundits and fans alike.