Liverpool Near £120m Deal for Bradley Barcola as Salah Successor

Liverpool are within touching distance of landing Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster move that could reshape their forward line — and possibly jolt the futures of others in the process.

An agreement in principle has been struck between the clubs for a package worth around £120million (€140m), with more than £100m guaranteed. The deal is not signed and sealed yet, but the framework is in place and the final details are being thrashed out on Thursday.

On Liverpool’s side, sporting director Richard Hughes, CEO Billy Hogan and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon are driving negotiations. Across the table, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is handling talks for the European champions.

Nothing is completed. Not yet. But the direction of travel is clear — and it points firmly towards Anfield.

Barcola, 23, has been Liverpool’s prime target to replace Mohamed Salah since early in the summer. The Athletic revealed on July 29 that Liverpool were preparing an opening bid, and talks between the clubs on Tuesday were described as key in bringing clarity to the situation. Barcola is understood to be committed to joining the Merseyside club.

His stance in Paris has been just as decisive. With two years left on his PSG contract, the France international has made it clear he does not intend to extend. He was omitted from the squad for PSG’s Ligue 1-opening 2-2 draw against Rennes on Sunday, a glaring sign of where this saga was heading.

A Lyon academy graduate, Barcola has developed into one of Europe’s most dangerous wide forwards. He operates predominantly from the left but can switch to the right, offering the kind of flexibility Liverpool have long valued in their front line. At PSG last season he fought for minutes with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, often coming from the bench in the latter stages of the Champions League as Luis Enrique’s side stormed to back-to-back European titles.

Even in a stacked squad, his numbers held up. Barcola made 49 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists as PSG retained their Ligue 1 crown alongside that Champions League triumph. Since breaking into the first team in 2021-22, he has registered 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 club appearances.

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 of their matches and scoring three goals as he cemented his place on the international stage.

All of that explains the fee. It also explains why Liverpool have been prepared to wait.

What it means for Liverpool’s attack

For Liverpool, this is the move they have been building towards all summer. The need for an injection of pace, directness and unpredictability in the front line has been obvious, and Barcola fits that brief with almost clinical precision.

He is the winger who runs at full-backs, who forces defenders to turn and sprint towards their own goal, who can stretch games on either flank. Liverpool want a forward who can frighten opponents again. Barcola, with his blend of speed, skill and end product, offers exactly that.

If everything is finalised, Andoni Iraola will gain another high-octane wide option as he looks to stamp a more aggressive, front-foot identity on the side. A forward line built around relentless running and vertical attacks suddenly looks a lot more plausible with Barcola in it.

The ripple effects could be just as significant. Cody Gakpo’s name has hovered around the gossip columns all summer, with Tottenham Hotspur repeatedly linked and Manchester City also showing interest. A £120m winger arriving from Paris inevitably sharpens those conversations. Liverpool have not made any decisions public, but the market will be watching closely.

For now, Liverpool supporters have what they have craved for weeks: a major move to believe in. They have waited through a quiet, sometimes anxious summer, hoping for a statement that matched the club’s ambitions.

If this deal crosses the line, that statement will be wearing red — and charging down the wing at Anfield.