Liverpool agree deal for PSG forward Bradley Barcola
Liverpool secures Barcola deal
Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola in a deal valued at up to £123m. The package includes an initial payment of £106m, with an additional £17m in potential add-ons. The France international is expected to undergo a medical this weekend before finalizing a long-term contract at Anfield.
The 23-year-old Barcola, who primarily plays on the left wing, was initially valued at £145m by PSG. This transfer would represent a record fee for a player departing Ligue 1. Liverpool had reportedly held firm earlier in the summer regarding PSG’s initial valuation but eventually secured the deal for one of Europe’s forwards.
This move follows Liverpool’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements after the departures of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah in previous summers. Barcola’s arrival could also impact the future of Cody Gakpo at Liverpool, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City reportedly showing interest in the Netherlands forward.
Impact on squad and other transfer targets
Liverpool’s manager, Andoni Iraola, addressed questions about Gakpo’s future, stating he “cannot guarantee anything” but expressed a desire to retain the 27-year-old. Iraola noted Gakpo’s strong performance since returning from the World Cup, highlighting his influence in recent games.
Barcola’s transfer would make him Liverpool’s second most expensive signing ever, following the £125m acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle last summer. The deal also includes an additional £4.3m solidarity payment from Liverpool to cover a sell-on fee negotiated by Lyon when Barcola moved to PSG in 2023.
PSG stands to more than triple their initial investment in Barcola, having signed him for a reported £38.5m in 2023. He is currently in the final two years of his contract and has reportedly shown no inclination to sign an extension. PSG has also bolstered their wing options this summer with the signings of Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts.
In addition to Barcola, Liverpool is also exploring options for a right winger. They have reportedly explored moves for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and are currently targeting Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr. However, Palace has indicated they have no intention of letting Sarr leave, considering the 28-year-old not for sale with three years remaining on his contract.
Barcola’s career and role
Barcola has been a priority target for Liverpool since Yan Diomande opted to join Real Madrid earlier in the transfer window. He has been a regular for Luis Enrique’s side, making 49 appearances and contributing 13 goals and 7 assists last season, despite competition from players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.
He made his first-team debut in the 2021-22 season and has accumulated 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 appearances. Barcola was also a prominent player for France in this summer’s World Cup, appearing in all eight matches and scoring three goals. He can play on the right or through the middle, potentially providing cover for Alexander Isak while Hugo Ekitike recovers from an Achilles injury.
During his time at PSG, Barcola has won three Ligue 1 titles, two Champions Leagues, the French Cup twice, the Uefa Super Cup, and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup. His impending arrival at Liverpool is expected to inject quality into an attack that could become formidable if recent signings like Isak and Florian Wirtz perform well.
The final discussions for Barcola’s transfer centered on the deal’s structure, with Liverpool now set to pay £106m upfront and up to £17m in add-ons, with documents still to be exchanged between the clubs.
Source: bbc.com
