Liverpool pursue Bradley Barcola as PSG boss remains tight-lipped
Liverpool are reportedly closing in on an agreement to sign Bradley Barcola, with the forward said to have agreed personal terms on a five-year contract. However, Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has remained guarded when questioned about Barcola’s future at the club.
Reports suggest that Liverpool are prepared to pay around £100m to bring the 23-year-old to Anfield. Despite the reported agreement on personal terms, Liverpool still needs to finalise a fee with Paris Saint-Germain for the transfer.
Enrique’s stance on Barcola
When asked about Barcola’s situation, Luis Enrique chose not to discuss individual players. He stated, “I don’t know and I don’t want to speak about any player individually.” Enrique further explained his position, saying, “Because it’s always dangerous when you are asking something positive or negative about a player. I stay focused on my team.”
Barcola is currently part of the PSG squad scheduled to face Aston Villa in the Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday. His inclusion in the squad comes amidst ongoing speculation regarding his potential move to Merseyside.
Barcola’s career at PSG
Barcola joined PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5m. During his time with the Parisian club, he has achieved significant success, winning three Ligue 1 titles and the French Cup twice. He has also secured the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.
Since his move to Paris, Barcola has made 152 appearances for Les Parisiens and has established himself at international level for Les Bleus. He has also made 45 appearances in the Champions League while at PSG, with 31 of those being starts.
Competition for playing time
At PSG, Barcola faces competition for playing time from other wide options, including Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and France’s Desire Doue. Reports indicate that Barcola has been a peripheral figure in the frontline, which also includes Ousmane Dembele. Desire Doue has reportedly ousted Barcola from the starting line-up in the last two Champions League finals.
A move to Liverpool could potentially increase Barcola’s playing time. At Liverpool, manager Andoni Iraola has several options for the left wing, such as Victor Munoz, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, and Florian Wirtz. The club is also considering how to replace Mohamed Salah on the right wing.
Transfer market context
Liverpool, under new manager Andoni Iraola, has been relatively slow in the transfer market this summer after spending over £400 million last summer. Prior to the interest in Barcola, the club signed Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet for modest fees, and confirmed the loan move of Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo.
According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool had a bid for Barcola rejected last year, with the fee expected to exceed €100m. This follows the Alexander Isak transfer saga last season, which saw the Swedish player move to Merseyside for around £125m. While Barcola is valued at €90m by Transfermarkt, Liverpool is reportedly reluctant to pay top dollar and is looking to negotiate down PSG’s original €140m valuation.
Any potential exit for Barcola from PSG could be influenced by the club’s pursuit of replacements. PSG is reportedly targeting Ajax starlet Mika Godts, who was pulled from de Godenzonen’s Eredivisie clash on Sunday. Additionally, PSG is said to be close to confirming a move for World Cup final hero Ferran Torres as they aim for three consecutive Champions League titles. Liverpool is set to take on Newcastle United when the Premier League season begins.
Source: bbc.com
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
