Bradley Barcola is poised to ink a long‑term contract with Liverpool that will keep him at Anfield until 2031, following the Premier League giants’ successful negotiation with Paris Saint‑Germain over the terms of his transfer. Sky Sports revealed on Friday that the two clubs have reached a provisional agreement for the French forward’s move, valuing the overall package at roughly £120 million. The crux of the negotiations centred on how the fee would be structured. Under the latest arrangement, Liverpool will initially disburse £106 million as an upfront payment, with the potential to add up to £17 million in performance‑related add‑ons.
The final paperwork still needs to be exchanged between the two sides, and Barcola must undergo a medical examination, which is slated for the upcoming weekend. Earlier in the summer, the two clubs were at odds over the player's valuation. PSG had initially set the price tag at around £145 million for the 23‑year‑old French international. However, after a series of discussions, the clubs appear to have closed the gap, and Barcola is now expected to sign a five‑year deal with the team managed by Andoni Iraola.
If the transfer goes through, Barcola will become Liverpool’s second‑most expensive signing in the club’s history, trailing only the record‑breaking acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for £125 million last summer. His arrival could also have a domino effect on the squad’s composition, potentially paving the way for Cody Gakpo’s departure as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have both expressed interest in the Dutch forward.
Liverpool are also reportedly eyeing another winger to complement Barcola. Their current target is Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, whose negotiations with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh have hit a snag.
The club’s pursuit of additional wide‑men underscores their intent to refresh the attacking options on both flanks. Sky Sports analyst Callum Bishop offered his perspective, suggesting that Liverpool view Barcola as a long‑term replacement for Mohamed Salah. While the two do not occupy identical roles—Salah traditionally operates on the right—Barcola is expected to bring a similar level of goal‑creating threat from the left side. Bishop noted that Salah’s most prolific seasons were characterized by his ability to cut inside from the right and deliver decisive finishes.
The question remains whether Liverpool truly need a player who mirrors Salah’s style or if they require a different tactical profile. Salah’s output dipped last season, partly due to a shift in his responsibilities after the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Previously, with Roberto Firmino acting as the central striker, Salah functioned as the primary goal‑scorer.
The introduction of two new number‑nines altered his role, turning him into more of a provider. Although he still registered ten assists, only one came for Ekitike and none for Isak, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new attacking configuration.
Barcola brings a blend of pace, technical skill, and a keen eye for goal, but his integration could be complicated by the presence of Ekitike and Isak, who may view another attacking talent as competition for the spotlight. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher expressed skepticism about the signing, arguing that Barcola is naturally a left‑winger, whereas Liverpool currently lack a comfortable right‑wing option. Carragher contended that the squad’s balance would be better served by addressing other positional needs. Meanwhile, talks with Crystal Palace over Ismaila Sarr have stalled.
Palace’s manager Pierre Sage indicated that Sarr, who has three years remaining on his contract, is not for sale at this stage. Sarr missed Palace’s opening defeat to Everton, with rumors suggesting he refused to train, though the club clarified that he is dealing with an injury. Sage emphasized his belief in the player’s honesty and reiterated that the club’s priority is getting him back on the pitch. In a related development, Aston Villa have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with PSG to sign winger Ibrahim Mbaye.
Mbaye, primarily a right‑winger, featured in 24 Ligue 1 matches for PSG last season, contributing three goals and two assists. Overall, Barcola’s potential move to Liverpool represents a significant investment that could reshape the club’s attacking dynamics for the next decade. The deal’s finalisation hinges on the completion of medicals and the exchange of official documents. If all goes as planned, Liverpool will secure a versatile forward capable of adding depth and creativity to a squad that is actively seeking to rebuild after a season of mixed fortunes.
The signing also highlights the club’s broader strategy of targeting high‑profile talent to remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.