Liverpool just agreed a deal in principle to sign France winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for a package worth around £120m, a move that would make him the Reds’ second most expensive signing ever. The transfer is not yet final, but Thursday’s breakthrough in talks could see the 23-year-old on Merseyside before the deadline.
The deal at a glance
Negotiations dragged through the summer over a wide valuation gap, with PSG holding out for around £145m. The breakthrough came when the French champions lowered their asking price. The Guardian reports the guaranteed sum is just over £100m, with add-ons tied to individual and team success pushing the total to about £120m.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Bradley Barcola, 23, France international winger |
| Clubs | Paris Saint-Germain to Liverpool |
| Reported fee | About £120m total (guaranteed £100m-plus plus add-ons) |
| PSG’s initial asking price | Around £145m |
| Status | Agreement in principle, not yet finalised |
| Deadline | Tuesday’s Premier League transfer deadline |
Why the move makes sense for Liverpool
Barcola has two years left on his PSG contract and told the club he will not sign an extension. He fell down the pecking order under Luis Enrique, who preferred a front line of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in PSG’s biggest matches. PSG, who signed Barcola from Lyon for €45m in 2023, have since added Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts and omitted him from their matchday squads this season.
The signing would sit second only to Alexander Isak’s £125m arrival in Liverpool’s club-record list. It also fills a need on the right: the Reds have yet to land a replacement for Mohamed Salah, with bids rejected for Yankuba Minteh and no offer made for Ismaïla Sarr.
What it means for the Premier League race
Adding a proven France international winger to Arne Slot’s attack gives Liverpool another live option in the title chase, one they will hope can match the kind of impact Kylian Mbappe has had for Real Madrid this season. Liverpool’s transfer activity follows a summer where they have spent heavily to keep pace at the top of English football, with overall spending since 2024/25 now projected past £663m.
What to watch next
The structure of the deal still needs finalising, and sources close to it insist it is not done yet. Expect confirmation within days if the last details get ironed out before Tuesday’s deadline. Cody Gakpo’s future at Liverpool could also come into focus if the club signs two wingers, with Tottenham and Manchester City both showing interest.
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