Liverpool have agreed a £120m deal in principle for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, although talks must still be completed.
Liverpool have been pursuing the France international throughout the summer and have now made a major breakthrough in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain.
The proposed package is understood to include around £100m guaranteed, with add-ons taking the potential total to £120m.
Barcola has been a long-standing target for the Reds as new head coach Andoni Iraola looks to strengthen his attacking options ahead of the transfer deadline.
Barcola deal a major breakthrough
PSG had initially valued Barcola at around £145m, but Liverpool have maintained their position over the valuation.
Barcola’s situation at PSG has also changed during the window.
Competition from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, alongside further attacking additions, has reduced his prominence in Luis Enrique’s plans.
Liverpool now appear to have capitalised on that situation.
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Barcola adds quality but Salah replacement remains
Barcola is primarily a left winger, meaning his arrival would not directly solve Liverpool’s post-Salah problem on the right.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher made precisely that point before the latest breakthrough.
“He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that – I’d love to get Barcola at Liverpool,” Carragher told Sky Sports News. “But he’s a left winger for me.
“Liverpool’s big thing that stands out like a sore thumb right now is replacing Mo Salah, a right winger.
“And I don’t think Liverpool have got anybody really in the squad who looks fully comfortable playing right wing.
“They probably have at least four players in the squad before Barcola joins, if he joins, who could play on the left-hand side comfortably.
“Now, I’m not saying any of those players are better than Barcola,” Carragher continued.
“But in terms of the balance of the squad, it’s not the position Liverpool need right now. They need a right winger.”
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