Liverpool have agreed a deal worth up to £123 million to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, marking one of the club's most significant transfer moves of the summer window. The France international is expected to undergo a medical this weekend before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Anfield.
According to reports, the structure of the deal sees Liverpool pay an initial £106 million upfront, with a further £17 million available in add-ons tied to individual and team performance. PSG had initially valued the 23-year-old at around £145 million before the two clubs settled on the reduced package following extended negotiations. Some reports suggest the France international could sign a contract running until 2031.
Barcola, who prefers operating on the left flank but is comfortable across the front line, arrives at Liverpool with an impressive trophy haul already to his name. Since joining PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5 million, he has won three Ligue 1 titles, two Champions Leagues, the French Cup on two occasions, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. He also found the net three times for France at this summer's World Cup.
The move is set to have significant ramifications for Cody Gakpo, whose long-term future at Anfield now looks increasingly uncertain. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have registered interest in the Dutch forward, according to multiple reports. Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Premier League home opener against Nottingham Forest, head coach Andoni Iraola admitted he could not guarantee Gakpo's future at the club, while stressing his desire to keep him.
"[Gakpo] has been very good since he came back from the World Cup and his holiday, with a very good attitude," Iraola said. "I hope we can keep him at that level because I think he has been very influential in our games."
Barcola's arrival strengthens an attacking department that has already undergone considerable turnover following the departures of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz in recent transfer windows. He is also viewed as a source of cover for Alexander Isak while Hugo Ekitike continues his recovery from a serious Achilles injury sustained in April. Liverpool remain active in the market for further attacking reinforcements, having previously explored moves for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr as they look to add a right-sided option before the window closes.
The news of Barcola's impending arrival broke on the same day Liverpool hosted Forest at Anfield in their first home Premier League fixture of the season, with Iraola preparing for what he described as an emotional occasion. The Basque coach has emphasised the physical demands he wants from his forward line moving forward, prioritising intensity over the course of matches as his squad continues to adapt under his management.
Iraola made only one alteration to the side that drew at Newcastle last weekend, with Victor Munoz coming into the starting line-up. Liverpool have endured a mixed start under their new coach, having required a stoppage-time Dominik Szoboszlai penalty to salvage a point on the opening weekend, and supporters will hope the visit of a struggling Forest side provides an opportunity for a more comfortable afternoon at Anfield.
Forest, meanwhile, arrived at Anfield having lost their opening two fixtures of the campaign, including a Carabao Cup exit to Leeds United in midweek. Head coach Oliver Glasner previously spoke of the scale of the rebuilding job at the City Ground, while confirming the club were still working on further signings before the transfer deadline, having already brought in Liam Delap from Chelsea.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football, The Independent, The Standard, and BBC Sport.