Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola. The France international, 23, has been long linked with a move to Anfield and it now appears the Reds are going to get a deal across the line after Liverpool and PSG agreed on a £120million package on Wednesday night. It's believed that the Reds are set to pay £100m guaranteed with a further £20m in achievable add-ons.
Negotiations and final details
According to The Athletic, sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon have handled negotiations and important final details are being ironed out on Thursday morning.
Nothing has been signed yet, but Barcola has given his greenlight on a move to Liverpool and has been desperate for the deal to happen since the start of the summer transfer window. Indeed, the former Lyon man hasn't featured for PSG in their opening three matches this season as he prepares to quit PSG.
Barcola's recent form and role
Barcola was an unused substitute in PSG's win over Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup but wasn't named in the matchday squad for the Trophee Des Champions defeat to Lens and Ligue 1 draw at Rennes. He scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 49 matches last season as PSG won the Champions League for the second straight year, beating Arsenal on penalties in the final.
Predominately a left winger, Barcola can play anywhere across the front line and is expected to bolster Liverpool's attacking options with Cody Gakpo's future uncertain and a move for Ismaila Sarr progressing.
Liverpool's pursuit of Ismaila Sarr
It emerged on Wednesday that Crystal Palace rejected a £50m bid from Liverpool for Sarr. The Reds remain in the market for a specialist right winger following Mohamed Salah's departure earlier this summer. Sarr, 28, is Liverpool's top target for that position and the Reds are expected to make another offer before the September 1 deadline, though Palace have made it clear he is NOT for sale.
The Senegal international would add pace and a real goalscoring threat to Andoni Iraola's side, having netted 21 times in 45 matches for Palace across all competitions last season. Liverpool's move for Sarr comes after the Reds ended their pursuit of Brighton's Yankuba Minteh. The Seagulls had demanded £80m for Minteh and Iraola's men were not prepared to pay that.
