Liverpool Secures Deal Worth £123 Million for PSG’s Bradley Barcola
Liverpool Football Club has reached an agreement with Paris St-Germain for forward Bradley Barcola, with the total deal valued at up to £123 million. Initially, PSG had set the player’s price at £145 million, but the Reds negotiated a package consisting of an upfront fee of £106 million, alongside potential add-ons amounting to £17 million.
The 23-year-old Frenchman is anticipated to undergo a medical examination this weekend before finalizing a long-term contract at Anfield. Barcola, who is predominantly right-footed, favors playing on the left wing. His impending transfer raises questions about the future of Cody Gakpo at the club, as multiple sources indicate interest from both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in the Netherlands forward.
The Reds are also in pursuit of a right winger, having considered moves for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace. Barcola has emerged as a key target for Liverpool as they aim to enhance their attacking options, particularly following the departures of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah over the last two summers.
After transferring to PSG from Lyon in 2023 for approximately £38.5 million, Barcola has enjoyed considerable success, winning three Ligue 1 titles, two Champions League trophies, two French Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Intercontinental Cup. He also scored three goals for France in this summer’s World Cup and is versatile enough to play on the right side or through the center, providing support for Alexander Isak during Hugo Ekitike’s recovery from a serious Achilles injury.
Ahead of the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Reds manager Andoni Iraola commented on Gakpo’s future, stating he “cannot guarantee anything” but expressed a desire to retain the 27-year-old at Liverpool. Iraola praised Gakpo’s return from the World Cup break, noting his positive attitude and influence on the team.
Barcola’s transition to Liverpool has been a priority for the club, especially after Yan Diomande chose to join Real Madrid earlier in the transfer window. This potential move, for up to £123 million, would set a record for a player departing Ligue 1. Barcola is expected to bring significant talent to Liverpool’s attack, which could become a formidable force if recent signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz reach their potential.
PSG will view this deal as a substantial success, as they will more than triple their initial investment in Barcola, who has entered the last two years of his contract and has not shown willingness for an extension. With competition for starting spots, particularly from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Barcola’s departure follows PSG’s summer acquisitions of Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts, further enhancing their attacking options.
Both clubs are likely to feel satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations, as Liverpool successfully navigated the initial price demands while acquiring one of Europe’s most promising forwards.
Liverpool have agreed a deal worth up to £123m for Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.
PSG initially valued the France attacker at £145m, but the Reds have agreed a package worth an initial £106m with £17m in potential add-ons.
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The 23-year-old is expected to have a medical this weekend before signing a long-term contract at Anfield.
Barcola is right footed but prefers to play on the left wing and his likely arrival creates further doubt around Cody Gakpo’s future at Anfield.
Multiple sources have told BBC Sport both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have shown interest in the Netherlands forward.
Liverpool are also in the market for a right winger, having explored moves for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr.
Barcola has become a main target for Liverpool as they look to bolster their attack following the departures of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah in the past two summers.
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He moved to PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5m and has won three Ligue 1 titles, two Champions Leagues, the French Cup twice, as well as the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.
Barcola, who scored three goals for France in this summer’s World Cup, can also play on the right or through the middle and could provide cover for Alexander Isak while Hugo Ekitike recovers from a serious Achilles injury.
Speaking before Saturday’s game against Nottingham Forest (12:30 BST), Reds boss Andoni Iraola was asked about Gakpo’s future and said he “cannot guarantee anything”, but 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.
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Analysis: Deal makes sense for both teams
By Aadam Patel, football reporter
Barcola has been a priority for Liverpool since Yan Diomande opted to join Real Madrid earlier in the window. The Frenchman’s move to Anfield – for up to £123m – would be a record fee for a player leaving Ligue 1.
Barcola will bring star factor and inject real quality into a Liverpool attack that could become feared if last summer’s expensive signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz can step up.
PSG can feasibly look at the deal as an excellent outcome, given they signed Barcola for £38m and will more than triple their money – if add-ons are met – for a player who is entering the last two years of his contract and has shown no willingness to sign an extension.
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Barcola was often behind Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the wings in the biggest games last season and PSG have added to their options in those areas this summer by signing Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts.
However Liverpool will be pleased with the deal too, having held firm earlier in the summer in terms of meeting PSG’s valuation of £145m – but eventually bringing in one of Europe’s most exciting forwards.
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