Liverpool are on the verge of completing a major summer signing after reaching an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain for winger Bradley Barcola, in a deal that could be worth up to £120 million.
According to reports, the Merseyside club will pay a guaranteed fee just above £100m, with the total package rising to around £120m through performance-related add-ons tied to individual and team success. The breakthrough followed fresh talks between the two clubs on Thursday night, ending months of negotiations that had stalled over PSG's initial £145m valuation of the 23-year-old France international.
While sources close to the deal caution that the transfer is not yet finalised, the agreement is expected to pave the way for Barcola to complete his move to Anfield before next week's transfer deadline. The structure of the deal is still being worked out, but the breakthrough, combined with PSG's willingness to reduce their asking price, has significantly increased confidence that the switch will go through.
Should the move be completed, Barcola would become the second most expensive signing in Liverpool's history, behind only Alexander Isak, who joined for £125m last summer. He moved to PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5m and has since enjoyed remarkable success in France, winning three Ligue 1 titles, two Champions League trophies, the French Cup twice, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Despite that trophy haul, Barcola's role at the Parc des Princes had diminished. Head coach Luis Enrique has favoured a front line of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in PSG's biggest fixtures last season, and the club further strengthened their attacking options this summer with the arrivals of Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts. As a result, Barcola was left out of PSG's matchday squads this season and made clear to the club that he would not sign a contract extension, with two years still remaining on his current deal.
Liverpool have been tracking Barcola throughout the summer as part of their search for attacking reinforcements following the departures of Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz in recent transfer windows. Salah left as a free agent and subsequently joined Trabzonspor. Although Barcola has primarily operated on the left flank for PSG, he is capable of playing on the right or through the centre, and could also provide cover for Isak while Hugo Ekitike continues his recovery from a serious Achilles injury. The winger also impressed at this summer's World Cup, scoring three goals for France.
The move follows a series of failed attempts by Liverpool to bring in a wide forward. The club had two bids worth £50m and £60m rejected by Brighton for Yankuba Minteh, while a €100m offer for Yan Diomande was ultimately unsuccessful after the Ivorian winger chose to join Real Madrid instead. Liverpool also explored the possibility of signing Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr but have not made a formal offer.
Barcola would reportedly become Liverpool's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Jeremy Jacquet, whose move from Rennes was agreed in January, and winger Victor Muñoz, who was specifically targeted by head coach Andoni Iraola.
The development could also have implications for Cody Gakpo's future at Anfield, with the Dutch international's playing time potentially under threat should Liverpool add two new wingers before the deadline. Gakpo has reportedly attracted interest from both Tottenham and Manchester City.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport, The Guardian, The Independent, and BBC Sport.