Liverpool agree £123m deal for PSG’s Barcola

Liverpool have reached a deal worth up to £123 million for Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola. Initially valued at £145 million by the French club, the Reds have agreed on a package with an initial £106 million, including potential add-ons of £17 million. The 23-year-old France forward is set to undergo a medical and sign a long-term contract at Anfield this weekend.

Barcola is right-footed but is more comfortable playing on the left wing, and his arrival may raise questions about the future of Cody Gakpo at Anfield. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have reportedly shown interest in Barcola. Liverpool, in search of a replacement for Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, have also been monitoring Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr.

The Netherlands international, who moved to PSG from Lyon in 2023 for £38.5 million, has won multiple domestic and European titles with the Parisian side. Barcola scored three goals for France during the World Cup this summer and can also play on the right or through the middle, potentially providing cover for Alexander Isak while injured teammate Hugo Ekitike recovers from a serious Achilles injury.

Reds manager Andoni Iraola, speaking ahead of Saturday's match against Nottingham Forest, expressed uncertainty about Gakpo's future at the club but emphasized his importance to the team, hoping to maintain his high performance amidst the goalkeeper's potential departure.