Liverpool appears to be closing in on the potential signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, who will be looking to make a quick impression with the side.
Bradley Barcola of France celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Medal Match match between France and England
Bradley Barcola is closing in on a transfer to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Europa Press Sports/Europa Press via Getty Images))
Liverpool's long-awaited move for Bradley Barcola appears to be coming to a close, as talks appear to have accelerated over the past day.
The Reds have been keen on a switch for the French international all summer, but a difference in valuation with Paris Saint-Germain has meant that a game of patience has had to be played. Eventually, the gap between the two teams has closed, to the point where reports are claiming that an agreement in principle has been reached for Barcola, which sets him up for the move to Anfield.
It's a huge boost for Liverpool, who still have some details to iron out before it can be made official, but with full confidence that a transfer will be completed in the coming days.
There will be plenty of hope that the 23-year-old can hit the ground running for Andoni Iraola, with the forward line not quite functioning in the opening game for the new manager.
With electric pace and trickery to match, Barcola could add an extra dimension that has been missing from the team in the wide areas, and the sooner he joins it, the better.
A lack of preseason may be a slight concern, especially after Alexander Isak's struggles last season, which only further emphasizes the need to get him on the pitch as soon as possible.
Barcola's debut could come as early as this weekend, with a game against Nottingham Forest coming up, but there is a deadline to register the star that will make it tough for him to feature at Anfield.
Bradley Barcola is close to joining Liverpool
Bradley Barcola is close to joining Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Current Premier League rules state that a new player must be registered by midday in England on the working day before the game, which would be Friday for the clash against Oliver Glasner's side.
Considering the details that need to be worked out, along with a medical, the actual signing itself, and the integration period that follows, it seems highly unlikely that the forward will be able to complete his transfer from PSG in time.
There is a chance that he could appear at Anfield for an official unveiling, but considering that the game is the early time slot on the Saturday, that also seems unlikely.
Instead, Barcola's debut would most likely come the following week, as Liverpool travels to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Sept. 4.
A match under the lights and the gaze of the world to kickstart the weekend of action could be an ideal place for the France ace to make his presence known and to announce himself on the Premier League stage.
Whether he will be deemed fit enough to feature from the start is a key question, however, considering the lack of preseason time and his possible condition upon arriving.
With the transfer deadline around the corner, Barcola may not be the only one to make his debut against Ipswich, with a possibility that other stars could announce themselves for the Reds on that day.