Liverpool Close in on Bradley Barcola Transfer

Liverpool are closing in on a blockbuster move for Bradley Barcola – and Cody Gakpo’s future now hangs in the balance.

Barcola: ‘Here we go’ for Liverpool

After weeks of negotiations, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have finally struck an agreement for Barcola, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting on Thursday morning that the fee is in place and the deal is in its final stages.

Fabrizio Romano has now delivered his trademark confirmation.

“Bradley Barcola to Liverpool is ‘here we go’,” the Italian transfer reporter said on his latest YouTube video, confirming that an agreement in principle is in place between the clubs and that the paperwork is being prepared, exchanged and checked by lawyers.

Once that process is complete, Barcola will receive authorisation to travel for his medical and to sign his contract at Anfield.

Liverpool have been tracking the France international for a long time and made him their priority option for the left wing. At various points, reports from England and France insisted Barcola was not for sale, with one eye-catching claim suggesting a €170m valuation. Romano stressed he consistently pushed back on that figure while maintaining the Liverpool link.

Now the numbers are clear. Liverpool will pay £100m as a guaranteed fee to PSG, with additional bonuses on top. Sources at PSG, Romano says, believe the final package will reach around €140m once those add-ons are triggered.

Liverpool get the elite wide player they wanted. PSG bank a huge fee. Barcola, who wanted the move, gets his wish.

Everyone, as Romano put it, is happy. Story over on Barcola – at least.

Spotlight turns to Gakpo

The real intrigue now sits with Cody Gakpo.

The Dutchman could yet leave Liverpool this summer, with Tottenham and Manchester City both circling. Speculation around his future has been constant, and the Barcola deal only sharpens the focus.

Liverpool have already tested the market for a potential second winger. Bids for Yankuba Minteh have been rejected, while the club have also made enquiries about Ismaila Sarr as they sketch out different scenarios for their attacking options.

Romano laid out the situation bluntly: what Liverpool do next in wide areas “really depends on what happens with Cody Gakpo”.

Tottenham are in constant contact to understand his situation and, according to Romano, Gakpo already has an agreement with Spurs. At the same time, his representatives are also speaking to Manchester City, who are exploring the possibility of bringing him to the Etihad.

If Gakpo goes – to Tottenham or City – Liverpool plan to move for another winger on top of Barcola. If he stays, the club are prepared to go into the season with their current attacking group, boosted by their new £100m signing.

One deal is effectively done. The next one, involving Gakpo, could reshape the forward lines of three Premier League contenders before the window slams shut.