Liverpool remain heavily interested in Bradley Barcola as the PSG star was an unused substitute in their Super Cup win over Aston Villa, while not looking to be fully invested in celebrations
Bradley Barcola following PSG's Super Cup win over Aston Villa
Bradley Barcola following PSG's Super Cup win over Aston Villa(Image: (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images))
Bradley Barcola did not appear to be in an overly celebratory mood as PSG captured the UEFA Super Cup in their win over Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.
PSG won the competition for the second consecutive year, after winning the Champions League once again. Since the end of the 2025/26 season, Barcola has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool, as the club looks for their Mohamed Salah replacement.
The Reds are said to have been in talks with PSG for well over a month at this point as they look to agree a fee. Reports have suggested Barcola is keen on the move, while being an unused substitute in the win on Tuesday. Liverpool has also been linked to PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye - who also did not come off the bench.
During the celebrations, Barcola rarely showed a smile with his teammates, as the club's director Luis Campos appeared to attempt to get him to join in at one point.
A body language expert believes there were a number of tells that suggest Barcola is indeed looking to leave the club, with one moment suggesting he could have been 'saying goodbye'.
Bradley Barcola with PSG director Luis Campos
Body language expert Judi James told Liverpool.com: "Barcola's 'win celebration' body language suggests the kind of subdued behavior you'd expect from a man who stayed on the bench the entire game.
"He looks solitary here and although he appears to kiss or even suck at the medal to register respect for the team's win his slow ambling walk, unsmiling demeanor and 'floppy' arms suggest low levels of personal excitement and exhilaration at a moment when spontaneous rituals of victory would be breaking out around him. This suggests a desire to praise the team for the win but not bond with them in any groupthink behaviors.
"The prolonged embracing ritual between Barcola and the sporting director is interesting and complex. Barcola appears to be wandering alone in a sea of group celebration. The director rushes in with an arm extended to make a deliberate show of hugging, celebration and even affection.
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola takes part in a training session
Bradley Barcola could now join Liverpool in the summer transfer window, as the Reds hope PSG lower their asking price(Image: (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images))
"He appears determined to include Barcola in the celebration, offering a clenched-teeth smile and a raised hand to announce a 'smacking' hand ritual of joy. It's interesting though that Barcola leans in and down for what looks more like a comfort hug than a celebratory one, which would spark rumors that he was saying goodbye."
Speaking after the game, PSG chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi did not rule out a transfer, with Reds fans desperate to see the club make the move.
"We're working calmly," Al Khelaifi told Canal Plus. "We don't talk too much. I can’t say whether he will leave or not. Today, he is a PSG player. We'll see."