Liverpool agree £123m deal for PSG forward Bradley Barcola
Liverpool have agreed a deal worth up to £123m to sign Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, with the package comprising an initial £106m plus £17m in potential add-ons after PSG had initially valued the player at £145m.
The 23-year-old has emerged as a main target for Liverpool as they seek to strengthen their attack following the departures of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah in the past two summers. Reds boss Andoni Iraola was asked about Cody Gakpo's future and said he "cannot guarantee anything", but added he wants to keep the 27-year-old at the club. "[Gakpo] has been very good since he came back from the World Cup and his holiday, with a very good attitude. I hope we can keep him at that level because I think he has been very influential in our games," Iraola he said.
Barcola became a priority for Liverpool after Yann Diomande opted to join Real Madrid earlier in the window, and the club held firm earlier in the summer over PSG's £145m valuation before agreeing the current terms. The transfer, for up to £123m, would be a record fee for a player leaving Ligue 1 if completed. Liverpool have also been targeting a right winger in this window.
Barcola moved to PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5m, according to the club record. During his time with PSG he has won three Ligue 1 titles, two Champions Leagues, the French Cup twice, the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.
Right-footed by preference, Barcola primarily plays on the left wing but can operate on the right or through the middle, offering tactical flexibility. He scored three goals for France at this summer's World Cup and could provide cover for Alexander Isak while Hugo Ekitike recovers from a serious Achilles injury.
At PSG last season Barcola was often behind Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for wing selections in the biggest games, and the club have added Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts to their options this summer. PSG signed Barcola for £38m and, if the add-ons are triggered, would more than triple that outlay.
PSG are reportedly receiving a favourable outcome from the deal given Barcola is entering the last two years of his contract and has shown no willingness to sign an extension. Liverpool have explored moves for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr as they continue to reshape the squad, and the club have described Barcola as one of Europe's most exciting forwards.
The 23-year-old is expected to have a medical this weekend before signing a long-term contract at Anfield.
