The deal is not done yet, but the rumour now appears to be gaining more and more substance. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports on his X account that official talks between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have begun. According to him, the “Reds” have signalled an initial offer worth more than €100 million, but are still well below PSG’s demands. At the same time, Barcola is said to have clearly preferred Liverpool since May.
PSG demand extraordinary fee
What makes the transfer complicated is mainly the price tag. French media recently reported that PSG will not let Barcola leave cheaply. L’Équipe already wrote of a demand in the region of €120 million, while Foot Mercato even referred to a significantly higher Paris valuation based on the current market for the very top tier of young elite players.
From PSG’s point of view, that is understandable. Barcola is under contract until 2028, is 23 years old, a France international and was part of the team that won the Champions League in 2025 and 2026. Paris therefore have no selling pressure whatsoever. At the same time, L’Équipe reported that Barcola does not want to extend his contract. That exact constellation makes the case interesting, especially as PSG may have to ask themselves economically whether this might in fact be the right time for a mega-deal.
Liverpool looking for pace and one-on-one quality
For Liverpool, Barcola would be a transfer with real signal value. The Frenchman brings exactly the profile that is particularly sought after in modern Premier League football: pace, depth, intensive dribbling, dynamism in transition and the ability to become dangerous immediately in open spaces.
Barcola is primarily a left winger, but can also play on the right or as a mobile forward in the front line. Under new head coach Andoni Iraola, he would fit well into a system that demands intensity, direct routes forward and high activity in wide areas, but also a high degree of flexibility, especially from attacking players. According to English reports, Liverpool are already looking for another high-quality attacking solution – Barcola would not merely be planned as a squad player, but as a potential new leading figure. Also because it will be the first season after Mo Salah.
From Lyon via Paris to Europe’s elite
Barcola’s career began in the Lyon area. He was born in Villeurbanne and took his first footballing steps at AS Buers before joining Olympique Lyon’s academy at the age of eight. At “OL”, he went through almost his entire development before making his professional debut in 2021.
His real breakthrough came in the 2022/23 season. Barcola became increasingly important during a difficult period for Lyon, scored the winning goal against PSG at the Parc des Princes and finished the season with seven goals and nine assists in all competitions. In the summer of 2023, he moved to PSG for around €45 million.
Development into a top player
In Paris, Barcola initially had to be patient. His first season brought five goals and nine assists, but also plenty of learning time in a squad full of stars. After that, his role became increasingly important. By now, Barcola has recorded 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 appearances for PSG and has also won 28 caps for the French national team. With PSG, he won Ligue 1 three times, the cup twice and – overshadowing everything else – the UEFA Champions League twice.
A transfer with domino effect
If Liverpool do manage to prise Barcola away, it would be one of the biggest transfers of the summer. For PSG, a sale would bring in an enormous amount of money, but would also leave a sporting gap. For Liverpool, it would be an attempt to sign a winger who already possesses international class at a young age, while still having further development potential.
Talks are ongoing, Barcola is said to want Liverpool – now everything depends on whether the “Reds” are prepared to move decisively closer to Paris’ demands. On the income side, Liverpool have not yet made any major moves in the current transfer window: all departures have been on free transfers, while the two new signings Jérémy Jacquet from Stade Rennes and Victor Muñoz from Osasuna cost around €100 million combined.
And given that the transfer summer is still far from reaching the peak of its madness, it is not unthinkable that another major club could still intervene. According to older reports, Barcola is also high on the lists of Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona…
