Liverpool nearing £120m deal for Bradley Barcola as Salah's successor
Liverpool are on the brink of one of the most expensive transfers in their history, having reached an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain to sign forward Bradley Barcola in a deal worth around £120million (€140m).
More than £100m of that fee is guaranteed, underlining just how heavily Liverpool are betting on the 23-year-old France international to lead their next attacking era.
The final details of the move were being worked through on Thursday, with Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, CEO Billy Hogan and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon driving negotiations from Anfield. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is handling talks for the French champions.
Nothing is signed. Not yet. But the framework is in place and both clubs know the finish line is in sight.
Salah’s heir apparent
Barcola has been Liverpool’s primary target to replace Mohamed Salah since early in the summer. The Athletic revealed on July 29 that the club were preparing an opening bid, and the pursuit has accelerated quickly since then.
The France international is committed to joining Liverpool and made his intentions clear to PSG. With two years left on his contract, he informed the European champions he did not want to extend his deal and was left out of the squad for their Ligue 1-opening 2-2 draw against Rennes on Sunday.
That omission told its own story. So did the talks on Tuesday between Liverpool and PSG, described as “key” in bringing clarity to the proposed transfer and pushing it towards the agreement now in place.
Barcola operates predominantly off the left flank but is comfortable on the right, a versatility that has made him especially attractive to Liverpool’s recruitment team as they reshape the front line in the post-Salah era.
Proven in Paris, sharpened in Europe
Competition for minutes at PSG has been fierce. Barcola has had to scrap for game time against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, particularly in the latter stages of Luis Enrique’s back-to-back Champions League-winning campaigns.
Even so, Barcola forced his way into regular contention. He made 49 appearances in the 2025-26 season, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists as PSG retained the Ligue 1 title and lifted the Champions League again.
Across his PSG career since breaking through in 2021-22, the Lyon academy graduate has compiled 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 games – numbers that speak to a wide forward who can both finish and create.
His rise has not been confined to club football. Barcola played a prominent role for France at this summer’s World Cup, featuring in all eight matches and scoring three times as he cemented his status on the international stage.
What this means for Liverpool
Liverpool have needed clarity all summer. Now they are close to getting it.
The attack required fresh energy, a new edge, a wide forward who could terrify full-backs and stretch defences. Barcola is the player they identified early and never truly moved away from.
He brings pace, direct running and a willingness to drive at opponents – exactly the kind of profile Liverpool have lacked since Salah’s future first came under serious scrutiny. His numbers at PSG show end product, but it is the way he plays, purposeful and aggressive, that has excited Liverpool’s hierarchy.
If the deal is completed as expected, Andoni Iraola will gain another pacy winger to help impose his front-foot style on this team. Barcola can attack from either flank, rotate with Liverpool’s existing forwards and give the side a different gear in transition.
There will be consequences elsewhere. Cody Gakpo’s situation now comes under a harsher spotlight. He has been repeatedly linked with Tottenham Hotspur and has drawn interest from Manchester City during this window. A £120m arrival in his area of the pitch changes the dynamics of the squad and the market around him.
For supporters, this is the moment they have been waiting on through a quiet, often frustrating summer. They wanted a statement that Liverpool are serious about staying at Europe’s top table.
Barcola, at this price and at this stage of his career, is exactly that kind of statement.
