Mega-deal agreed: Bradley Barcola to sign with Liverpool until 2031
The 23-year-old Frenchman, leaving PSG for £123 million, will sign a five-year contract this weekend, becoming the second most expensive signing in club history. Liverpool will pay £106 million immediately. Following the deal, Cody Gakpo may leave Anfield.
Bradley Barcola is set to sign with Liverpool until 2031 after PSG and the Reds reached an agreement on a deal that could reach £123 million (about 140 million euros). Liverpool will pay £106 million (about 120 million euros) immediately, with the balance to be paid later as add-ons and bonuses.
According to Sky Sports, the principle agreement was reached on Friday as discussions between the parties focused on the structure of the deal. In addition to the official documents currently being exchanged, Barcola is expected to land in England today and undergo medical examinations over the weekend. Reports suggest the deal was delayed due to PSG's initial demand of £145 million (about 170 million euros).
Now, the 23-year-old French international is expected to sign a five-year contract with Andoni Iraola's side, which hosts Nottingham Forest today in the second round of the Premier League. Barcola will become the second most expensive signing in Liverpool's history, following the club record set last summer with the purchase of Alexander Isak from Newcastle for £125 million.
Furthermore, Barcola's arrival may allow Cody Gakpo to leave Anfield, with Tottenham and Manchester City interested in the Dutch striker. Before the window closes, Liverpool will attempt to sign another winger, with Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace being the primary target after negotiations with Brighton regarding Yankuba Minte hit a dead end.
Throughout the summer, Barcola was Liverpool's main target to bolster the front line, identified as the leading candidate to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah. The Frenchman, who grew up in Lyon's youth academy, had a contract with PSG until 2028, refused to extend it, and requested a transfer.
Last season, Barcola recorded 49 appearances for PSG, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. He competed for playing time primarily with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué, often finding himself on the bench during the later stages of the European campaign. Since his senior debut, Barcola has accumulated 152 appearances for PSG, recording 39 goals and 37 assists. He has also become a significant player for France: at the last World Cup, he appeared in all eight of the team's matches and scored three goals.
