Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to sign winger Bradley Barcola after late talks between both clubs.
The Reds made the 23-year-old their main target late in the transfer window, with boss Andoni Iraola looking to strengthen his wide options. PSG had remained firm on their £145m asking price, but the clubs have now reached a compromise.
According to The Athletic, the deal is worth £120m, with £100m guaranteed and the rest coming through add-ons. If completed, Barcola would become Liverpool’s second-most expensive signing.
Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon led negotiations with PSG, with the final terms still being worked out on Thursday morning.
Barcola has two years left on his PSG contract but wants to leave after falling behind Desire Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The arrivals of Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts have made his situation harder, while manager Luis Enrique has since left him out of the squad.
Iraola had earlier made it clear that Liverpool needed more options, especially on the wings.
“We will definitely sign some players,” Iraola told Sky Sports. “Some deals you have to wait until the end. But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1, because it is true that we are still quite thin.”
He added: “You are asking what we need, there are certain situations that for me are clear, especially on the wing because we don’t have enough players specifically to play in those positions. And after in other positions we have to be open-minded in the market to see situations that honestly can improve our team.
“It’s not about signing because we need a player here. It’s about improving the squad because we already have very good players here. So to improve our very good players, you need specific level players.”
Liverpool have also made several bids for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, but the Seagulls rejected them.
The Reds have had a frustrating transfer window but signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna and Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona. Jeremy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Nduke also completed moves agreed in January, although Nduke has already returned on loan.
