Liverpool is reportedly in pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with the French club valuing the player at approximately £140 million. This potential transfer fee would represent a Premier League record.
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola identified the need for a winger, especially with the departure of Mohamed Salah. The club's current right-wing options during pre-season have been limited to younger players.
Barcola, 23, has been a target for Liverpool, and the club is understood to be working on a deal. PSG's valuation of the France international is substantial, despite reports suggesting the player has stalled on a new contract and expressed a desire to leave.
Barcola joined PSG two years ago, and some have suggested he could reach the level of Kylian Mbappe. Javier Pastore, a club legend, has also noted Barcola's potential. Although his playing time at PSG has been inconsistent, especially in the latter stages of the Champions League under Luis Enrique, Barcola has a strong record of chance creation. Last season in Ligue 1, he ranked highly for expected goals and assists per 90 minutes, behind only teammate Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati.
During the World Cup, Barcola played in all eight of France's matches, starting four and contributing three goals and one assist. His speed and dribbling ability have earned him the nickname "the grasshopper."
Barcola's journey through the youth ranks at Lyon was described as a normal maturation process, without the early designation of a generational talent. He joined Lyon's academy at age eight. His brother, Malcolm, also a goalkeeper, played for Lyon, and their mother also played football, instilling a passion for the sport in the family.
His career at Lyon faced a potential setback in January 2023 when he was close to a loan move to Swiss side St Gallen. However, an opportunity arose when teammate Karl Toko Ekambi left the club, and Barcola seized it. He finished the 2022-23 season with five goals and nine assists in the latter half of the campaign, including a winning goal against PSG.
Barcola's pace is a significant asset. He was among the fastest players in the Champions League last season and at the World Cup. Liverpool, under Iraola, are known for their fast, direct attacking style, with Bournemouth, Iraola's previous club, registering the most direct attacks in the Premier League. Barcola's speed would complement this approach.
His technical skills include the ability to beat defenders from a standing start and transition quickly from defense to attack. While often playing as a winger, Barcola's background as a striker until age 17 gives him a goal-scoring threat and positional awareness that often sees him drift into central areas, even taking up positions on the shoulder of the last defender. This tendency to operate centrally, combined with his shot-ending carries and chance creation from open play, aligns with Iraola's tactical preferences, which have previously seen success with wingers who operate as inside forwards. Iraola has a history of developing wingers, having worked with players like Antoine Semenyo and Isi Palazon.