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Barcola deal nears end
Liverpool moved closer to completing the signing of Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola after the clubs agreed a package worth £123m, with £106m up front and £17m in add-ons, and the deal is expected to be finalised before the Tuesday night deadline.
“Barcloa set to sign Liverpool contract to 2031 after PSG agree transfer worth up to £123m”
Sky Sports reported that Barcola is set to sign a Liverpool contract to 2031 after PSG agree transfer worth up to £123m, with documents still to be exchanged and a medical expected to take place this weekend.
The Guardian said Liverpool will pay £106m up front for the 23-year-old, plus £17m in add-ons based on individual and team achievements, and that Barcola will undergo a medical this weekend ahead of his move to Anfield.
The Liverpool transfer timeline is also being framed around the club’s Premier League opener at Anfield, with the Guardian’s matchday build-up noting Liverpool’s fixture against Nottingham Forest as coverage begins.
In parallel, Sky Sports said Barcola would become Liverpool’s second most expensive signing of all time, following the club-record deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for £125m last summer.
Gakpo decision and options
As Liverpool push to finalise Barcola, the future of Cody Gakpo remains a central part of the transfer narrative, with The Empire of The Kop saying Cody Gakpo is unlikely to be sold unless the Reds sign a second forward in addition to Barcola.
SPORTbible added that Liverpool’s stance on selling Gakpo has been one of resistance, but that it has softened to the point where the Reds are prepared to allow him to leave only if they can bring in another forward following Barcola’s arrival.
The Empire of The Kop also said the Barcola move looks set to be finalised before the Tuesday night deadline, unlike the Alexander Isak saga last year which went to literally the last minute of the summer window.
Sky Sports reported that Barcola’s arrival would potentially allow Cody Gakpo to leave Anfield, with Tottenham and Manchester City both interested in the Dutchman.
Liverpool’s wider recruitment picture is being linked to a right-wing target, with Sky Sports saying the club are also trying to sign a second new winger and that their target is currently Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr following difficult negotiations with Brighton for Yankuba Minteh.
Medical, contracts, and ripple
The final steps of the Barcola transfer are being described as travel for a medical and contract formalities, with This Is Anfield saying Barcola will travel to Merseyside to undergo his medical with Liverpool after a deal worth a potential £123 million was agreed with PSG.
“Barcola will travel to Merseyside to undergo his medical with Liverpool”
This Is Anfield also said a five-year contract is reported to have been agreed, and that the switch should be announced on Sunday or Monday, with a potential debut in Liverpool’s trip to Ipswich on Friday (September 4).
The New York Times’ transfer live updates placed the Barcola deal alongside other late-window business, including Aston Villa reaching a £55m agreement for PSG’s Mbaye and Villa confirming Jackson signing from Chelsea.
Meanwhile, The Independent reported that Atletico Madrid have given Julian Alvarez a deadline of Sunday to decide his future after he missed his third consecutive day of training, and that the club’s chief executive said the Argentina star will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona.
With the window closing, Sky Sports said Barcola would become Liverpool’s second most expensive signing of all time and also noted that Barcola would be set to sign a five-year deal with Andoni Iraola’s side, tying the transfer to the manager’s plans for the wide areas.