Liverpool Pursue Bradley Barcola: Verbal Agreement in Place
Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola has moved into a new gear, with Fabrizio Romano claiming there is now a “verbal agreement” between the Paris Saint-Germain winger and the Anfield club – and that the “deal is on”.
Liverpool lock in on Barcola
Having missed out on Yan Diomande, who has joined Real Madrid, Liverpool have zeroed in on Barcola as they look to reshape an attack that still hasn’t truly replaced Mohamed Salah’s influence on the right.
Ronald Araujo, Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet are already through the door this summer, but the squad still looks light in wide areas. That shortage is one reason Liverpool are exploring the possibility of bringing in as many as two more wingers before the window shuts, especially with Cody Gakpo attracting serious interest from Tottenham Hotspur and potentially heading for the exit.
Amid that backdrop, Barcola has become the headline target. The 21-year-old does not want to extend his PSG deal beyond 2028, with reports indicating his preference is clear: he wants Liverpool.
Romano has long maintained that personal terms would not be a problem, and his latest YouTube update underlines that stance. According to him, Liverpool and Barcola now have a verbal understanding in place. The player “wants to go” to Anfield, and Liverpool are “ready to go strong” to try to force an agreement with PSG.
The sticking point is exactly where you’d expect it to be: the fee.
PSG hold firm on ‘crazy’ valuation
PSG’s valuation of Barcola is eye-watering. Initial reports suggested the French champions wanted as much as £145 million for the winger.
Romano went further on Thursday, stating that PSG are asking for a “crazy” package worth around €200 million, covering both Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye. That combined demand has already had consequences: Liverpool have stepped away from any move for Mbaye.
Barcola, though, remains the priority, and Liverpool are still working on a way to make the numbers work.
Journalist Nicolo Schira has pushed the story on another step, claiming Liverpool are “getting closer” to striking a deal at €125 million (around £106m) and that Barcola would sign a contract running until 2032. Given PSG’s earlier stance, that figure would represent a sizeable climbdown from their original demands and, at this stage, those claims need treating with caution.
What is not in doubt is PSG’s public line. President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has left the door ajar without inviting anyone to walk straight through it.
“We’re working calmly,” Al-Khelaifi said. “We don’t talk too much. We get things done. All of our players are important. When they sign for PSG, they become important to us.”
No promises. No guarantees. But no outright refusal to sell either.
A defining move for Liverpool’s attack?
Liverpool’s recruitment team know the scale of what they are trying to do. Rebuilding the wide areas, potentially while Gakpo’s future hangs in the balance, is no minor tweak. It’s structural work.
Barcola is the name at the top of the list. Personal terms are lined up. The player is pushing. Liverpool are prepared to attack the deal.
Now it comes down to PSG’s resolve, Liverpool’s willingness to stretch, and whether that “crazy” price comes down to something even a club of Liverpool’s stature can live with.
If it does, Anfield’s next era on the flanks might be about to take shape in a very expensive, very dramatic way.
