Liverpool’s reported €115m Barcola bid expected to be rejected by PSG
Liverpool are reportedly preparing an initial bid of €115M (£100M) for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, though reports suggest this offer is likely to be rejected. The Reds have been in contact with Barcola’s representatives for a couple of years and have regularly discussed transfers with PSG.
Despite the player reportedly wanting to leave and having indicated he will not sign a new contract with the Ligue 1 club, PSG are said to be holding out for a higher valuation. The French club’s asking price for Barcola is reportedly around £128million, which represents a reduction from an initial figure of £145million.
Transfer Negotiations Continue
The considerable attention on Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola comes as the new Premier League season approaches. The Reds are scheduled to play Monaco in a pre-season friendly at Anfield this weekend, following their recent tour of the United States. So far this pre-season, Liverpool have added Victor Munoz from Osasuna and French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet to their squad.
Reports suggest that Liverpool would prefer to pay around £103m for the winger, with Barcola reportedly open to the move. Despite the current gap in valuation, there are indications that Liverpool may increase their bid to facilitate the deal. While the two clubs are considered to be “very far apart,” the transfer is anticipated to be finalised before the transfer window closes.
Former Anfield player Michael Owen has commented on the potential transfer fee, noting that while Barcola has played at a high level, the club must remain grounded regarding such a substantial sum. Owen mentioned that if the fee reaches £145m, it would be an “eye-watering” amount.
PSG’s Squad Changes
The situation at PSG is also evolving, with reports of other players agreeing to moves to the French capital. Barcelona player Ferran Torres has reportedly agreed to join PSG this summer. This development could potentially clear the path for Barcola’s move to Liverpool. Torres is said to be considering his future after participating in the World Cup this summer, and reports from a Spanish outlet indicate he has given approval for a transfer to PSG manager Luis Enrique.
PSG are expected to submit an offer for Torres, aiming to complete the deal before the Spanish international’s return next week after the World Cup. Securing Torres is seen as part of PSG’s efforts to reshape their attack. Additionally, Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche is reportedly close to signing with PSG, and the club is also working on a deal for Belgian forward Mika Godts from Ajax. Should these transfers materialise, it could further pave the way for Barcola to move to Liverpool.
Barcola’s Profile and Potential Impact
Bradley Barcola, a 23-year-old winger, has emerged as a key target for Liverpool. He was part of France’s World Cup squad and made substitute appearances in both of the last two Champions League finals, where PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in 2024-25 and then overcame Arsenal on penalties in May to retain their title. Barcola joined PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5m and has since won three Ligue 1 titles, two French Cups, the Uefa Super Cup, and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.
Although primarily right-footed, Barcola prefers to play on the left wing but can also operate on the right or through the middle. With PSG having other wide options such as Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and France’s Desire Doue, Barcola does not play a full 90 minutes in every match, suggesting a move to Anfield could offer him more playing time. Liverpool are looking to strengthen their attack following Mohamed Salah’s departure on a free transfer at the end of last season, after a nine-year spell with the club during which he scored 257 goals. Other attacking options for Liverpool include 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, Italy forward Federico Chiesa, and new signing Victor Munoz.
Barcola has played 28 times for France and scored three goals in this summer’s World Cup, including one in the 6-4 loss to England in the third-place play-off. His game time at the international level was also limited due to the skills of his 21-year-old PSG teammate Doue. France manager Didier Deschamps often rotated Barcola and Doue, with both starting four of France’s eight World Cup matches, but never in the same game, while Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele was preferred on the right.
Analysis suggests Barcola could be a natural successor to Luis Diaz, who left Liverpool last summer. Barcola’s output reportedly closely resembled Diaz’s across Europe’s top five leagues in 2025-26, with a 78% similarity rating according to a player similarity model. While Barcola is a left winger, his game is influenced by a centre-forward’s instincts, having played as a striker until the age of 17. Last season, he averaged 3.5 shots per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 and his 9.83 expected goals (xG) ranked in the 95th percentile among wingers in Europe’s top five leagues. 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.
Barcola’s attacking style involves driving at defenders to create shooting opportunities, averaging more than two shot-ending carries per 90 minutes, a unique statistic among players in Europe’s top five leagues. He also averaged 8.69 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 minutes, placing him among the top eligible players. His shot map indicates a preference for attacking dangerous central areas. While he attempts more take-ons than Mohamed Salah, he creates fewer chances, attempts fewer crosses, and fewer through balls, suggesting a more direct approach. His passing profile under Luis Enrique has shown increased focus on progressing play in the final third. Barcola’s 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, reflecting an aggressive pressing style that could suit Andoni Iraola’s demands. At 23, Barcola’s blend of pace, intelligent movement, elite shot volume, relentless pressing, and growing creative output suggests he is still improving.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
