Liverpool have reportedly reached a provisional agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to bring the 23-year-old French international Bradley Barcola to Anfield for a fee that hovers around £120 million. While the transaction is not yet sealed and final terms are still being hashed out, sources say that a significant breakthrough has been achieved after weeks of protracted negotiations. Throughout the summer, the two clubs could not agree on a valuation for Barcola. PSG initially set their asking price at roughly £145 million, a figure that Liverpool found difficult to meet given their own budget constraints and competing priorities.
Recent talks, however, appear to have narrowed that gap, with the English side now prepared to commit a fixed £120 million sum for the winger's services. This amount, if confirmed, would cement Barcola as Liverpool's second‑most expensive acquisition in the club's modern era, trailing only the record‑breaking £125 million purchase of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last summer. The potential signing would also push Liverpool's cumulative spending since the conclusion of the 2024/25 season to just over £663 million.
That total already includes the £116.5 million outlay for Florian Wirtz and a host of other additions such as Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong. The Barcola deal, therefore, represents a further statement of intent from Jürgen Klopp’s successors as they look to reshape the squad ahead of the new campaign. If the transfer is completed before the summer deadline, it could also open the door for Cody Gakpo to depart Anfield.
Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have expressed interest in the Dutch forward, and a sizable fee from a new signing would make it easier for Liverpool to balance their books while still strengthening the team. In addition to Barcola, Liverpool are reportedly eyeing another wide‑player to bolster their flanks. Their current target is Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, a dynamic winger who has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs. Negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh have stalled, with the Seagulls reportedly holding out for an £80 million price tag after turning down two previous bids, the latest of which was £60 million.
Speaking on Thursday about the Barcola pursuit, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said, “We are actively working to fill that position. At the moment we cannot discuss players who are not officially ours. It is clear we need to improve that area because we lack depth. I hope we can deliver good news soon.” Palace, however, have made it clear that Sarr is not for sale at this stage.
The 28‑year‑old still has three years left on his contract, and the club appears reluctant to let him leave despite interest from Liverpool. Recent reports suggested Sarr missed Palace’s opening‑week defeat at Everton, with rumours of a training boycott. Those claims have since been downplayed, with insiders indicating that the winger is dealing with a minor injury rather than a disciplinary issue. An additional twist to the Barcola saga involves a sell‑on clause retained by Lyon, the French club that originally signed the player in 2023 for £38.6 million (€45 million).
According to Sky Sports News, Lyon will receive a percentage of any future transfer fee should Barcola move on from PSG this summer. This clause adds another layer of complexity to the negotiations, as PSG will need to factor the share owed to Lyon into their final asking price.
If the £120 million deal goes through, it would set a new benchmark for transfers out of Ligue 1, marking the highest fee ever paid for a player departing the French league. PSG would walk away with a substantial profit on a player who contributed to two Champions League triumphs in three seasons, underscoring the French giants’ ability to develop and sell talent at a premium.
Former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher has weighed in on the potential acquisition, expressing admiration for Barcola’s abilities while questioning the fit for Liverpool’s current needs. Carragher noted, “He’s a great player – I’d love to see Barcola at Liverpool – but he is primarily a left‑winger. Liverpool’s biggest problem right now is replacing Mohamed Salah, who operated on the right.
We have several players who can handle the left side, but we lack a natural right‑winger.” He added that a simultaneous signing of a right‑footed winger would make Barcola’s arrival more palatable, as it would address the squad’s imbalance. The debate around Barcola highlights the broader strategic dilemma facing Liverpool’s hierarchy: whether to prioritize immediate positional needs or to secure a high‑quality talent who may offer versatility in the long term.
While Barcola can play on either flank, his natural inclination is to cut in from the left, a trait that may not directly replace the creative output lost with Salah’s departure. Regardless of the final outcome, the negotiations illustrate Liverpool’s aggressive approach in the transfer market this summer.
By targeting both Barcola and Sarr, the club signals its intent to refresh its attacking options and to compete at the highest level in both domestic and European competitions. Fans will be watching closely as the deadline approaches, hoping that the Anfield faithful will soon witness the arrival of new faces capable of delivering the goals and excitement that have defined the club’s recent history.