Liverpool are reportedly intensifying their efforts to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. The Reds are now focusing their attention on concluding discussions with the French club for the player.
This development follows Liverpool‘s announcement of the loan signing of Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo. Liverpool had previously paid significant fees for players, including midfielder Florian Wirtz and striker Alexander Isak, and could be prepared to do so again for Barcola.
Transfer Negotiations Underway
Liverpool are reportedly willing to pay around £100m for Barcola, while PSG is seeking a fee closer to £145m. Barcola, who moved to PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5m, has been part of France‘s World Cup squad and has won multiple titles with PSG, including three Ligue 1 titles and two French Cups.
The potential transfer comes as Liverpool looks to strengthen their attack after Mohamed Salah‘s departure on a free transfer at the end of last season. Salah scored 257 goals during his nine-year tenure with the club.
Other attacking options for Liverpool include Rio Ngumoha, Italy forward Federico Chiesa, and new signing Victor Munoz. Hugo Ekitike, another France forward, is not expected to play in 2026 due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained in April. Cody Gakpo has been linked with a move to Tottenham, though Liverpool has stated they do not intend to sell him.
Barcola’s Playing Style and Potential Impact
Barcola, who is right-footed but prefers to play on the left wing, can also operate on the right or through the middle. His playing time at PSG has been limited due to other wide options like Georgia‘s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and France‘s Desire Doue, suggesting a move to Anfield could offer him more minutes.
Data analysis indicates that Barcola‘s output closely resembled that of former Liverpool player Luis Diaz across Europe‘s top five leagues in the 2025-26 season. He played as a striker until the age of 17, which is reflected in his movement and shot selection.
Last season, Barcola averaged 3.5 shots per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 and his 9.83 expected goals (xG) ranked highly among wingers. He converted these chances into 11 league goals, outperforming his xG, and no PSG player or Ligue 1 winger recorded a higher xG total during the 2025-26 campaign.
His statistics also show he averaged more than two shot-ending carries per 90 minutes and 8.69 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 minutes. His shot map indicates a player who attacks central areas rather than taking speculative long-range shots. While he attempted more take-ons than Mohamed Salah last season, he created fewer chances and attempted fewer crosses and through balls.
Barcola‘s game has reportedly evolved under Luis Enrique, with his passing profile in the Champions League becoming more focused on progressing play in the final third. His work without the ball is also noted, as he ranked ninth across Europe‘s top five leagues for possessions won in the final third last season, a metric that aligns with the aggressive pressing style expected under Andoni Iraola.
At 23 years old, Barcola‘s blend of pace, intelligent movement, shot volume, pressing, and creative output suggests he is still developing. He has played 28 times for France, scoring three goals in this summer’s World Cup, including in the 6-4 loss to England in the third-place play-off.
Despite his contributions, his game time at the World Cup was limited due to the skills of his 21-year-old PSG team-mate Doue. France manager Didier Deschamps rotated Barcola and Doue, with both starting four of France‘s eight World Cup matches, but never in the same game.
The summer transfer window is set to close in three weeks.
Source: bbc.co.uk