Liverpool agree £100m-plus fee with PSG for French winger Bradley Barcola

Liverpool have struck an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign French winger Bradley Barcola, with the Ligue 1 champions set to receive a guaranteed fee of just over £100 million. Once performance-related add-ons are included, the operation could climb as high as £120 million. The deal marks the culmination of a summer-long pursuit and gives the Reds a high-calibre attacking option as they reshape their forward line following Mohamed Salah's exit.

• Liverpool and PSG have agreed a transfer worth just over £100 million guaranteed, with add-ons potentially taking it to £120 million.
• Barcola will become the second most expensive signing in Liverpool history, behind only Alexander Isak, who joined last summer for £125 million.
• The breakthrough came after Liverpool spent the entire summer tracking the France international.
• PSG have already replaced Barcola with three attacking signings: Ferran Torres, Magnes Akliouche and Mika Godts.
• Arsenal also showed interest in the player, who had two years left on his PSG contract.

A nine-figure deal for Bradley Barcola

Liverpool have got their way at the negotiating table. PSG had initially been holding out for close to £145 million for the winger, but the final agreement guarantees the Parisians a guaranteed sum just above £100 million, with bonuses that could lift the total to £120 million.

The transfer has not yet been fully completed, but Liverpool made the decisive breakthrough in talks after pursuing the Frenchman all summer. Barcola has been at the top of their wish list throughout the window, and the Anfield hierarchy has finally found common ground with their counterparts in Paris.

The long-awaited Salah successor at Anfield

Barcola's impending arrival is part of Liverpool's drawn-out search for a successor to Mohamed Salah, who left on a free transfer and later joined Turkish side Trabzonspor. Although the Frenchman has featured more regularly on the left wing, his versatility and direct running make him a valuable addition to the Reds' attacking ranks.

Third summer signing for the Reds

Should the move be completed, Barcola will become Liverpool's third new face of the summer. The club had already secured Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in a deal arranged back in January, as well as Victor Munoz, a winger specifically targeted by head coach Andoni Iraola.

The alternatives Liverpool explored before Barcola

Liverpool's route to Barcola included several other attacking targets. They tabled a €100 million bid for Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, only for the player to choose Real Madrid despite interest from both Liverpool and PSG. The Reds also made offers of £50 million and then £60 million to Brighton for Yankuba Minteh, and gave consideration to Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr.

PSG have already planned for life without Barcola

The French champions have moved quickly to fill the void, bringing in three forwards this summer: World Cup winner Ferran Torres, Magnes Akliouche and Mika Godts. Barcola, who had just two years remaining on his contract at the Parc des Princes, had also attracted interest from Arsenal, but it is Liverpool who have won the race for his signature.