Liverpool agree £120m deal for Bradley Barcola after breakthrough talks with PSG

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Barcola has been Liverpool’s main transfer target all summer only for PSG’s £145m valuation to prove a significant hurdle.However, further negotiations on Thursday night ended in an outline agreement being reached over a compromise fee. Liverpool have agreed to pay a guaranteed sum of just over £100m for the France international, with add-ons based on individual and team success, taking the overall package to about £120m.The full structure of the deal has not been finalised, but last night’s breakthrough, coupled with PSG’s willingness to lower their asking price for the 23-year-old, should allow Barcola to complete his move before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Liverpool were informed last month the player was keen to join them, having fallen down the pecking order at PSG.Barcola has two years remaining on his PSG contract, but informed the club that he will not be signing an extension. The two-time European champions have added Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts to their formidable attacking options this summer and have omitted Barcola from their matchday squads this season.PSG signed Barcola for €45m from Lyon in 2023 and the winger has played a prominent role in the rise of the Champions League winners.

But Enrique’s preference for a front line of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in PSG’s biggest matches last season prompted Barcola to consider his options.The arrival of Barcola – and sources insist it is not done yet – would make him the second-most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history behind the £125m Alexander Isak, but the club have still to land a replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right. Liverpool have had two bids rejected by Brighton for Yankuba Minteh and, despite enquiring over Ismaïla Sarr’s availability, have not made an offer for the Crystal Palace forward.Cody Gakpo’s future at Liverpool will be in doubt should the club sign two wingers before the deadline.