Liverpool Signs Bradley Barcola for £123 Million Amid Ongoing Transfer Activity
Liverpool has finalized the signing of French international Bradley Barcola for a total fee of approximately £123 million following negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain. The deal marks a significant investment for the Reds as they enhance their squad.
Richard Hughes, the sporting director at Liverpool, is not finished with this acquisition. He anticipates adding at least one more forward before the transfer deadline this Tuesday.
In light of these additions, Liverpool is preparing for potential player sales to balance the wage bill and squad size. Names like Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr have emerged as possible departures as Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola navigate these critical final hours of the transfer window. While players such as Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa have been linked with exits, they are unlikely to command substantial transfer fees.
Currently, the most valuable asset for the Premier League champions is Cody Gakpo, whose contract extends until 2030, with a weekly salary of £250,000. Interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City has been reported, especially with Gakpo’s impressive start to the season, which includes a goal and an assist across two matches under Iraola’s management.
Recent reports from BBC Sport indicate that Manchester City has initiated discussions with Liverpool regarding a transfer for Gakpo. It is also suggested that the 27-year-old forward is keen on a move to the Etihad Stadium. The report highlights that City formally approached Liverpool about securing Gakpo on Saturday evening.
Gakpo’s association with Liverpool began in 2023 when he joined from PSV Eindhoven for around £37 million. Although he was instrumental in the club’s title win during the 2024/25 season, his form declined in the following term. His resurgence during the FIFA World Cup has continued into the new season, posing a conundrum for Liverpool, which may lose out on his talent as Hughes works to manage the team’s financial situation.
© IMAGO – Andoni Iraola Richard Hughes Liverpool
Liverpool have secured the signing of Bradley Barcola.
The France international has agreed to join for a fee of around £123m overall after a deal was reached between the Reds and Paris Saint-Germain.
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But Richard Hughes isn’t stopping there. At least one more forward is expected to arrive before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Liverpool facing sales to pay for Barcola and one more
Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr are the names in the frame as the Liverpool sporting director and head coach Andoni Iraola head into a crucial 48 hours.
In order to accommodate these arrivals in the squad – and on the wage bill – outgoings will be necessary. We’ve seen the likes of Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa linked with the exit but neither of those is going to bring in a significant transfer fee.
The 2024/25 Premier League champions’ most bankable asset right now is Cody Gakpo – under contract until 2030 and earning £250k per week.
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Gakpo to Man City talks are on
Tottenham and Manchester City are known to be keen on the Dutch international – who has started the season with a goal and an assist in two matches for Iraola.
BBC Sport is now reporting that City have entered talks with Liverpool over a deal for Gakpo – and it’s also been suggested that the 27-year-old is now determined to make the move to the Etihad.
“Manchester City have opened talks with Liverpool about signing attacker Cody Gakpo,” the report reads.
“City is Gakpo’s preferred destination if he leaves Anfield before Tuesday’s deadline.
“City made formal contact with Liverpool over a move on Saturday evening.”
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Are Liverpool making a mistake in selling Gakpo?
Gakpo has been with Liverpool since joining from PSV for around £37m back in 2023. The versatile attacker starred in the 2024/25 title win under Arne Slot but like a lot of his teammates suffered a regression last term.
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A renaissance of sorts began at the FIFA World Cup for the Netherlands and he has carried that form into the new season.
It now looks however that City will stand to benefit from that upsurge in form and not Liverpool as Richard Hughes seeks to address the spending deficit at Anfield.
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