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Liverpool’s ambitious pursuit of Bradley Barcola has long reached the point where admiration is no longer the issue, the price is.
Andoni Iraola still needs greater variety in attack after inheriting a squad that finished fifth last season and then lost club legend Mohamed Salah on a free.
Liverpool have already added Victor Muñoz, while Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké and Florian Wirtz provide major quality through the middle, but there is still room for another explosive winger.
Barcola is not a direct copy of Salah.
The France international prefers starting from the left, where he can isolate a full-back before accelerating towards goal. He can still operate on the opposite side, but his most dangerous work normally comes when attacking from his natural flank.
That has created some debate around Liverpool’s interest because Cody Gakpo and Muñoz can also play from the left, with Jamie Carragher recently questioning the club's need for Barcola.
However, Barcola’s speed, direct running and obvious quality would suit Iraola’s aggressive football.
Barcola emerged from Lyon’s academy and made his senior breakthrough during the second half of the 22/23 campaign. He bagged five goals and eight assists from 26 Ligue 1 appearances before PSG paid around £40 million to sign him.
Lyon forward Bradley Barcola.
His first season in Paris brought four league goals and seven assists. The following campaign delivered a major step forward.
Barcola scored 14 times in Ligue 1 and became part of the PSG side that won the club’s first Champions League title.
Bradley Barcola’s senior league record
Season
Club
League
Appearances
Goals
Assists
2021/22
Lyon
Ligue 1
11
0
0
2022/23
Lyon
Ligue 1
26
5
8
2023/24
Lyon
Ligue 1
3
0
0
2023/24
Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1
25
4
7
2024/25
Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1
34
14
11
2025/26
Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1
29
11
1
Total
128
34
27
Competition for places has since increased, particularly with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué capable of occupying similar areas.
Barcola still made 29 league appearances last season, scoring 11 goals and finishing 25/26 as their top scorer in Ligue 1, although his total of one assist represented a considerable drop from the previous two campaigns.
Reports during recent weeks had suggested a Liverpool deal was gaining momentum.
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German insider Christian Falk claimed Barcola was excited by the possibility of moving to Anfield and that Bayern Munich were no longer competing for his signature.
Other reports suggested Liverpool had communicated a verbal proposal worth around £87 million, while PSG’s valuation was placed as high as £145 million.
The gap between those figures always looked like the biggest threat to the deal.
Sacha Tavolieri has now provided an important reality check, amid some claims today that a deal has been agreed.
The Sky Sport Switzerland reporter says PSG have still not received a formal written offer from Liverpool.
Tavolieri adds that discussions have taken place, but Liverpool have made clear that they are not in a position to meet the French club’s current asking price.
That does not mean the pursuit is over.
Liverpool could be attempting to force PSG into lowering their demands, particularly if Barcola makes it clear that he is open to leaving, yet PSG hold the stronger hand.
Liverpool therefore face a difficult choice.
They can wait and hope PSG compromise, redirect their money towards a cheaper winger or produce the enormous offer required to turn discussions into a genuine negotiation.
For now, Barcola remains an ambitious target rather than an imminent new Liverpool signing this summer.
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