Liverpool have pulled off one of the most significant transfer coups of the summer. The Reds have reached a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign French winger Bradley Barcola in a package worth approximately £120 million, with £100 million guaranteed and up to £20 million available through add-ons. The 23-year-old has now been given permission to travel to England to undergo his medical and complete the formalities of the transfer.
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How the Deal Came Together
This deal was far from straightforward. PSG’s initial asking price for Barcola was £145 million, a figure Liverpool were never willing to match. The Reds believed a deal could be reached closer to £120 million, and that is the figure PSG ultimately agreed to — a reduction of 17%.
The package will see £100 million guaranteed, with the remaining £20 million available through what is described as very achievable add-ons.
Barcola and his camp have now been informed that they have permission to travel to England to undergo his medical and complete the formalities of the transfer, with terms over a lucrative five-year contract, through to summer 2031, already agreed.
David Ornstein of The Athletic confirmed the agreement, with a full club-to-club deal now in place. The final details are to be ironed out, with the winger set to undergo a medical and sign a long-term contract, with personal terms already agreed.
The Transfer at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Player | Bradley Barcola |
| Nationality | French |
| Age | 23 |
| Date of Birth | September 2, 2002 |
| Position | Left Winger |
| From | Paris Saint-Germain |
| To | Liverpool |
| Fixed Fee | £100 Million |
| Add-Ons | Up to £20 Million |
| Total Package | ~£120 Million |
| Contract Length | 5 Years (Until June 2031) |
| Expected Shirt Number | No. 29 |
| Agreement Type | Verbal Agreement |
| Agreement Date | August 27, 2026 |
| Expected Debut | September 4, 2026 vs Ipswich Town |
Why PSG Are Letting Barcola Leave
Despite Barcola’s obvious quality, PSG boss Luis Enrique’s preferred front three was made up of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, with Barcola finding himself playing a supporting role as PSG went on to clinch a second successive Champions League title.
PSG also signed Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco, further limiting Barcola’s opportunities in the French capital. Ferran Torres, who scored the winner for Spain during last month’s World Cup final against Argentina, is also on the verge of completing a transfer from Barcelona for a £42.75 million deal.
The signings of Akliouche and Torres suggest PSG were preparing for life without Barcola.
Why Liverpool Needed Barcola
Liverpool’s overwhelming priority this window has been to sign a new top-level winger or two to replace Mohamed Salah and/or Cody Gakpo.
Mohamed Salah called time on his Liverpool career, posting an emotional video on social media confirming his departure at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing an end to a legendary nine-year stay on Merseyside.
The France international has been earmarked to succeed Salah as the Reds’ headline transfer acquisition.
Barcola was also reported to have attracted interest from Arsenal, but he favoured a move to Liverpool.
A Club-Record-Challenging Fee
Should Barcola complete his proposed transfer to Anfield, he would be Liverpool’s second most expensive signing of all time, following the club-record deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for £125m last summer.
The signing of Barcola would take Liverpool’s overall spend since the end of the 2024/25 season to just over £663m, after also spending £116.5m on Florian Wirtz as well as signing Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong.
Bradley Barcola’s Career Path — From Lyon to PSG to Anfield
Barcola is a product of Lyon’s academy. Promoted to Lyon’s first team in 2021, he made 47 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing 10 assists in the second half of the 2022-23 season.
On August 31, 2023, Barcola joined Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €45 million fee, signing a five-year contract and being assigned the number 29 jersey.
| Club | Season | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympique Lyonnais | 2021–2023 | 7 | 10 |
| PSG | 2023–24 | 13 | 7 |
| PSG | 2024–25 | 21 | 21 |
| PSG | 2025–26 | 11 | 1 |
| Liverpool | 2026– | — | — |
Barcola’s Trophies at PSG
In just three seasons in Paris, Barcola has been remarkably decorated. Throughout his career, Barcola has won 14 titles, including three Trophée des Champions, two Coupe de France titles, two Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and three Ligue 1 titles with PSG.
The No. 29 at Anfield
The winger wears number 29 at PSG, and that shirt is currently free at Anfield, having last been worn by Arthur Melo for one solitary appearance four years ago. Barcola has worn that number since joining PSG from Lyon and has made it his signature number.
Liverpool’s Summer Transfer Activity
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Florian Wirtz | Attacking Midfielder |
| Alexander Isak | Striker |
| Milos Kerkez | Left Back |
| Hugo Ekitike | Forward |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Right Back |
| Victor Munoz | Winger |
| Jeremy Jacquet | Midfielder |
| Giovanni Leoni | Defender |
| Ronald Araujo | Defender |
| Bradley Barcola | Left Winger |
Likely Debut
The move is expected to be completed well before Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline, with the player likely to be in line for his Liverpool debut in the televised trip to face Ipswich at Portman Road on Friday, September 4.
FAQs
How much are Liverpool paying for Bradley Barcola?
Liverpool and PSG have agreed a package worth approximately £120 million, with £100 million guaranteed and up to £20 million in add-ons described as very achievable. PSG’s original asking price was £145 million, meaning Liverpool secured a reduction of around 17%.
How long will Barcola’s contract be at Liverpool?
Barcola is set to sign a five-year contract with Liverpool, running until summer 2031, with personal terms already agreed ahead of his medical.
What shirt number will Barcola wear at Liverpool?
Barcola is expected to keep his signature No. 29 shirt, which has remained unoccupied at Anfield for several years and is available for the taking should the transfer be finalised as expected.
Why did PSG agree to sell Barcola despite his obvious quality?
Barcola had fallen down PSG’s pecking order following the arrivals of Maghnes Akliouche and Ferran Torres, and with Luis Enrique’s preferred front three of Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé and Doué ahead of him, a departure represented the best opportunity for the 23-year-old to secure regular first-team football.
When could Barcola make his Liverpool debut?
The transfer is expected to be completed well before the Tuesday, September 2 transfer deadline. If all goes to plan, Barcola is likely to be in line for his debut in Liverpool’s televised Premier League trip to Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Friday, September 4, 2026.
