Andoni Iraola_v3
Liverpool transfer news: Liverpool‘s pursuit of Bradley Barcola is at the awkward stage: the personal terms are in place, yet the deal still sits miles away from being done.
David Ornstein, speaking on Football on TNT, rates the move at two out of 10. Possible, yes. Likely? Not yet. His warning is stark: PSG’s asking price is still the problem, and Liverpool aren’t prepared to overpay.
Liverpool transfer news: Reds want Barcola above everyone else
According to Foot01, Liverpool have lodged a £115m offer after an earlier proposal in the £86m-£100m bracket was rejected. PSG had been looking for around £145m, although Graeme Bailey and Alex Crook report that figure has drifted towards £125m. Still a sizeable gap.
Barcola has told PSG he wants out and has already agreed personal terms with Liverpool. Luis Enrique then left him out of the squad for the Trophée des Champions victory over Lens. Those details suggest the 23-year-old’s time in Paris is heading towards its final chapter.
He contributed 11 Ligue 1 goals and five assists across competitions in 2025/26. His pace and directness suit Andoni Iraola’s aggressive approach.
Why Gakpo could be the key
Here’s where Liverpool’s summer gets interesting. Ornstein says Barcola arriving would almost certainly mean Cody Gakpo leaving. Without Barcola, Liverpool are happy to keep Gakpo.
Tottenham, managed by Roberto De Zerbi, have agreed personal terms with Gakpo and are pushing towards a fee above £60m, with Dutch reports putting it closer to £70m. That sale would ease the cost.
Gakpo has hardly been a disaster at Anfield. His record stands at 50 goals and 23 assists in 180 appearances. Last season, though, was his least productive campaign: nine goals and six assists, including seven Premier League goals in 36 appearances. For a side rebuilding their attack after Mohamed Salah’s departure, that’s a concern.
Barcola offers something different. He is explosive, carries the ball aggressively and is comfortable receiving possession in tight areas. His reported 85% passing accuracy and progressive-dribbling figures point towards a winger capable of stretching defences rather than drifting into traffic.
PSG know Liverpool have a ceiling. Barcola has two years left on his contract and isn’t expected to renew. Every rejected bid brings the bargaining game closer to the point where PSG have to choose between their valuation and keeping a player. That’s why this could drag. Or suddenly move quickly.