Liverpool have finally got their man.
After weeks of negotiations, speculation and uncertainty, the Reds have reached an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola.
The latest reports indicate a package worth around £120m, with just over £100m guaranteed and performance-related add-ons taking the potential total higher.
It represents a huge breakthrough for Liverpool, who have made Barcola their priority target throughout the summer.
And perhaps most importantly, the player has wanted the move.
Barcola wanted Liverpool
Barcola has reportedly made Liverpool his preferred destination throughout the saga.
That was crucial.
PSG had the strongest negotiating position for much of the summer, with the French club initially demanding around £145m for their winger.
Liverpool refused to simply pay that valuation.
Instead, they continued negotiating and have now managed to bring the overall package down significantly.
That’s some piece of business if the deal is completed at the reported figure.
From £145m to around £120m
This is the part of the transfer that shouldn’t be overlooked.
PSG’s original valuation was around £145m.
Liverpool have instead reached an agreement around £120m, with the guaranteed fee understood to be just over £100m.
That’s still an enormous amount of money.
But considering how highly PSG valued Barcola, Liverpool will feel they have negotiated a much more favourable structure.
And with the player so keen on moving to Anfield, Liverpool were able to remain patient.
Liverpool finally get the winger they need
For me, this is the most exciting part.
Liverpool desperately need more pace and directness in their attack.
We’ve already seen what happens when the Reds dominate possession but struggle to consistently create clear chances.
Barcola can change that.
He’s incredibly quick, loves taking defenders on and can attack space behind a defensive line.
He’s also capable of creating chances for teammates rather than simply waiting for opportunities himself.
That gives Andoni Iraola another weapon.
Imagine Barcola and Isak together
This is where Liverpool fans should get excited.
Alexander Isak cost Liverpool £125m.
Now imagine giving him a winger capable of delivering the sort of service and movement Barcola can provide.
Isak has the movement.
He has the finishing ability.
He has the technical quality.
What he needs is a consistent supply of opportunities.
Barcola can help provide that.
And with Florian Wirtz also operating in the attacking areas, Liverpool suddenly have the ingredients for a frightening front line.
Iraola finally gets another piece of the puzzle
Iraola made it clear that Liverpool needed more options in the wide areas.
Barcola fits that requirement perfectly.
He has the speed to press.
The energy to work defensively.
The ability to carry the ball.
And the confidence to attack defenders.
Those are exactly the qualities Iraola wants from his wide players.
This isn’t simply a big-name signing.
It’s a signing that makes sense for the manager’s football.
The end of a very long saga
This transfer has felt like it has been going on forever.
Liverpool wanted Barcola.
PSG wanted an enormous fee.
Other clubs were interested.
Liverpool had to decide how far they were prepared to go.
And eventually, the two clubs appear to have found common ground.
Now there are only the final details to complete.
So while Liverpool fans should wait for the official confirmation, this is about as close as you can get.
A statement signing
If completed, Barcola would become one of the most expensive players in Liverpool’s history.
That’s a huge commitment.
But it’s also a statement.
Liverpool have lost Mohamed Salah this summer and need to build a new attacking identity.
Signing a 23-year-old French international with enormous potential is exactly the sort of move that can help establish that next era.
My verdict
I absolutely love this signing.
Liverpool needed pace.
They needed a winger who can beat a man.
They needed someone who can create chances.
And they needed another player capable of giving Isak the service he needs.
Barcola can potentially provide all of those things.
The price is huge, there’s no getting away from that.
But Liverpool have negotiated down from PSG’s original £145m valuation and have apparently secured a deal around £120m including add-ons.
Now it’s time to finish the paperwork.
Bradley Barcola wanted Liverpool.
Liverpool wanted Bradley Barcola.
And after one of the longest transfer sagas of the summer, the Frenchman is finally on the verge of becoming a Red.
LONG SAGA OVER.
Welcome to Liverpool, Bradley Barcola.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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