Bradley Barcola appears poised to ink a long‑term contract with Liverpool that will keep him at Anfield until 2031, after the Premier League giants reached a tentative agreement with Paris Saint‑Germain regarding the financial mechanics of the transfer. According to a Sky Sports report published on Friday, the two clubs have settled on a principle deal that would see the French forward move to Liverpool in a package valued at roughly £120 million.
The crux of the negotiations centred on how the sum would be divided, with Liverpool slated to pay an upfront fee of £106 million, complemented by a further £17 million in performance‑related add‑ons should certain conditions be met. The transaction is not yet finalised; formal paperwork still needs to be exchanged between the two sides, and Barcola must undergo a medical examination, which is expected to be scheduled for the upcoming weekend.
Earlier in the summer, a significant valuation gap existed between the clubs, with PSG initially demanding around £145 million for the 23‑year‑old France international. The revised figure reflects a compromise that allows Barcola to sign a five‑year deal with manager Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool side. If the transfer goes through, Barcola will become Liverpool’s second‑most expensive acquisition in the club’s history, trailing only the record‑breaking £125 million signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last summer. His arrival could also influence the future of current Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, who has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
The Reds are also reportedly eyeing a second winger, with Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr emerging as a target after a protracted negotiation involving Brighton & Hove Albion for Yankuba Minteh. Sky Sports analyst Callum Bishop offered his perspective, suggesting that Liverpool view Barcola as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah. While Barcola does not occupy the same side of the pitch as Salah, the club may see him as the player capable of replicating Salah’s prolific output from the wide areas.
Historically, Salah’s greatest impact at Anfield has come from cutting in from the right flank, delivering goals and assists. However, Bishop questions whether Liverpool truly need a direct copy of Salah’s style, especially after a relatively underwhelming season for the Egyptian star, which was partly attributed to tactical shifts following the arrival of two new centre‑forwards, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Those changes saw Salah transition from primary goal‑scorer to a more creative role, resulting in ten assists last season, but only one of those came for Ekitike and none for Isak.
Barcola is widely recognised as a highly talented forward with considerable upside, yet his addition could be perceived as competition for the new strikers, potentially limiting their chances to shine. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher expressed skepticism about the Frenchman being the ultimate solution for the squad. Carragher argued that Barcola is naturally a left‑winger, while Liverpool currently lack a comfortable right‑wing option but already possess four players capable of operating on the left. In his view, the signing does not address the positional balance the team requires.
Beyond Barcola, Liverpool’s transfer agenda includes attempts to secure Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace. However, Palace have signalled that Sarr is not for sale at present, with three years remaining on his contract. The winger missed Palace’s opening weekend loss to Everton, amid rumours of a training boycott, though club sources suggest he is dealing with an injury. Palace manager Pierre Sage, speaking at a press conference, emphasized Sarr’s contractual status and injury, stating that the club’s priority is to get him back on the pitch.
In parallel developments, Aston Villa have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with PSG for the signing of winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Mbaye, a right‑footed attacker, featured in 24 Ligue 1 matches for Paris Saint‑Germain last season, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
His potential move to Villa adds another layer to the summer transfer market activity across the Premier League. Overall, Barcola’s prospective move represents a significant financial outlay for Liverpool, reflecting the club’s ambition to reinforce its attacking options while navigating the evolving dynamics of its forward line.
The final stages of the deal will hinge on the completion of medicals and the formal exchange of contracts, after which Barcola could become a central figure in Jurgen Klopp’s (or his successor’s) plans for the upcoming seasons, potentially shaping Liverpool’s tactical approach and influencing the market value of other high‑profile targets. The outcome will also have ripple effects on other clubs’ strategies, particularly those eyeing Gakpo, Sarr, and other wingers in the crowded summer market.