Liverpool have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the signing of French winger Bradley Barcola, with the transfer fee set at roughly £120 million. While the deal has not yet been sealed and some contractual details remain under discussion, sources say that a significant breakthrough has been achieved in the negotiations, bringing both clubs closer to a final agreement. Throughout the summer transfer window, PSG and Liverpool have been at odds over Barcola's valuation. The Parisian side initially placed a price tag of about £145 million on the 23‑year‑old international, a figure that Liverpool found excessive.
After a series of protracted talks, the two parties appear to have converged on a lower, fixed sum of £120 million, which is now understood to be the amount Liverpool will ultimately pay for the player. If the transfer goes through, Barcola will become the second‑most expensive acquisition in Liverpool's history, trailing only the club‑record £125 million purchase of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last summer. The potential signing would also push Liverpool's total outlay since the close of the 2024/25 season to just over £663 million, a tally that already includes the £116.5 million spent on Florian Wirtz and the acquisitions of Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong. Securing Barcola before the transfer deadline could also have a domino effect on the squad's composition.
The Anfield side is reportedly preparing to offload Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City having shown interest in the striker. In addition, Liverpool are said to be eyeing a second winger to complement any new arrival. Their current target is Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr, although negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh have stalled after Brighton rejected two bids, the latest being £60 million, and are now demanding around £80 million.
Head coach Andoni Iraola addressed the Barcola saga on Thursday, emphasizing the club's desire to strengthen the wide‑area positions. "We are actively trying to sign a player for that role," Iraola said.
"We cannot comment on players who are not yet ours, but it is clear we need to improve that area because we lack depth. I hope we can share good news soon." Liverpool have already approached Crystal Palace regarding a potential deal for Sarr, but the Palace hierarchy appears reluctant to part with the 28‑year‑old, who still has three years left on his contract.
Reports suggest Sarr missed Palace's opening league defeat to Everton and was rumored to have refused training, though it now seems he is dealing with a minor injury rather than a disciplinary issue. In a related development, Sky Sports News has learned that Lyon will receive a percentage of any future transfer fee for Barcola, thanks to a sell‑on clause included when the French club sold the winger to PSG for £38.6 million (€45 million) in 2023.
While the £120 million agreement with Liverpool is not yet finalised, discussions are reportedly progressing well, with PSG's president and sporting director continuing talks after the Champions League draw in Monaco. Should the deal be completed, it would set a new record for the highest fee ever received for a player departing the French Ligue 1, underscoring PSG's substantial profit on a player who contributed to two Champions League triumphs in three seasons.
Former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher has weighed in on the potential signing, expressing admiration for Barcola but questioning whether he fits Liverpool's immediate needs. Carragher noted that Barcola primarily operates on the left wing, whereas Liverpool are in urgent need of a right‑winger to replace Mohamed Salah, who left the club at the end of the previous season.
"He's a great player, no doubt about that – I'd love to see Barcola at Liverpool," Carragher told Sky Sports News. "But he's a left winger for me.
Liverpool's biggest issue right now is finding a right‑winger to replace Mo Salah." Carragher added that while Liverpool have several players capable of playing on the left, the squad lacks a natural right‑wing option, making Barcola's arrival less of a direct solution to that problem. He suggested that if Liverpool were to secure Barcola and also sign a dedicated right‑winger, the overall balance of the team would improve dramatically.
In summary, Liverpool's tentative £120 million deal for Bradley Barcola represents a major financial commitment and could reshape the club's attacking options. The transfer is still subject to final negotiations, and its completion may trigger further moves, including the departure of Cody Gakpo and the pursuit of additional wingers. Fans will be watching closely as the deadline approaches, hoping for clarity on the club's summer strategy and the composition of the squad for the upcoming campaign.