Bradley Barcola (foto: Getty Images)
Liverpool have reportedly agreed a package worth around €140 million with PSG for Bradley Barcola, who has made Anfield his preferred destination.
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Liverpool have taken a major step towards completing one of the biggest transfers of the summer after reaching an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola.
According to The Athletic, the full package for the 23-year-old France international will be worth around €140 million.
The two clubs reportedly agreed the main terms of the transfer overnight. PSG would receive more than €115 million as a guaranteed fee, with the remainder tied to add-ons and performance-related bonuses.
The transfer has not been completed, and the contracts have yet to be signed. Liverpool and PSG held important talks on Tuesday that appear to have cleared the main obstacles to an agreement.
Barcola’s desire to join Liverpool also played a major role in the negotiations. The French winger reportedly informed PSG that he wanted to continue his career at Anfield.
Barcola has two years remaining on his PSG contract, but he has told the French champions that he does not intend to sign an extension. PSG subsequently left him out of the squad for their opening league match against Rennes, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Liverpool have long regarded Barcola as their leading target in the search for a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. The English champions submitted their opening offer at the end of July before stepping up negotiations during the final weeks of the transfer window.
Barcola offers considerable tactical flexibility because he operates on either wing, although his strongest position is on the left side of the attack.
He faced intense competition for playing time at PSG from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue. As a result, coach Luis Enrique frequently used him from the bench during the closing stages of PSG’s campaign, which ended with the club winning a second consecutive European title.
Despite the competition, Barcola made 49 appearances for PSG last season, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. Since making his debut for the Parisian club, he has recorded 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 matches.
The former Lyon academy player also played an important role for France at this year’s World Cup. He appeared in all eight matches and scored three goals.
Barcola’s arrival could open the door for Cody Gakpo to leave Liverpool. The Netherlands international has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in recent weeks.
Adding Barcola would further increase the competition for Gakpo’s position and could encourage Liverpool to consider a significant offer before the transfer window closes.