Liverpool have agreed terms in principle with Paris Saint-Germain to sign forward Bradley Barcola in what is set to be the club's marquee attacking signing of the summer.

The two clubs reached an outline agreement overnight on a package worth around £120million (€140m) overall, of which more than £100m is guaranteed. The proposal still requires final sign-off, with last details being ironed out on Thursday.

Negotiations are being led on Liverpool's side by sporting director Richard Hughes, club CEO Billy Hogan and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon, while PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is representing the French champions. Nothing has been signed yet, and the transfer is yet to be completed.

The Athletic revealed that Liverpool and PSG held pivotal talks on Tuesday to bring clarity over the proposed transfer, with Barcola firmly committed to joining the Merseyside club.

The deal that replaces Salah

The 23-year-old emerged as Liverpool's primary target to replace Mohamed Salah earlier this summer, with the club preparing an opening bid for him since late July. Barcola has two years remaining on his PSG contract but has made clear he does not wish to extend his terms with the European champions, and he was left out of the matchday squad for their Ligue 1-opening 2-2 draw against Rennes on Sunday.

Playing predominantly from the left wing but also comfortable on the opposite flank, the France international found himself in direct competition with Khvicha Kvaratshalia and Desire Doue for minutes last term. He was largely utilised from the bench during the latter stages of PSG's Champions League run as Luis Enrique's side claimed continental glory in successive years.

Despite that competition, Barcola made 49 appearances for PSG in the 2025-26 campaign, contributing 13 goals and seven assists as the club retained the Ligue 1 title alongside European success. Since breaking into the first team during the 2021-22 season, the Lyon academy product has recorded 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 appearances.

He also played a distinguished role for France at this summer's World Cup, featuring in all eight matches and scoring three goals.

What does this mean for Liverpool? Analysis

"It has always been the case that the sooner this saga is resolved the better. Now we're nearly there," said Liverpool correspondent Gregg Evans. "Clearly Liverpool need a boost to their attacking ranks and Barcola is the one they've been waiting for all summer. He's the wideman who could make a real difference with his direct and purposeful play. Liverpool need a winger who can strike fear into opponents and Barcola, with his skillset, ticks every box. If all goes to plan, the manager will now have another pacy winger to turn to as he looks to impose a new front-foot style on the team. Supporters have been waiting all summer for something to get genuinely excited about, and this is the one they've been hanging their hopes on."

Potential knock-on effects

The potential transfer could have implications for Cody Gakpo, who has been linked repeatedly with Tottenham Hotspur and drawn interest from Manchester City this summer. Liverpool's new addition could prompt movement in the Dutch forward's future.