Liverpool Nears Deal for Bradley Barcola: Impact on Cody Gakpo
Liverpool are closing in on a blockbuster move for Bradley Barcola – and the domino effect could define Cody Gakpo’s future at Anfield.
Barcola deal reaches ‘here we go’ stage
After weeks of negotiations, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have finally struck an agreement for Barcola, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting on Thursday morning that a fee is in place and the deal is in its final stages.
Fabrizio Romano has now put his stamp on it.
On his latest YouTube video, the Italian transfer specialist delivered his trademark line, confirming: “Bradley Barcola to Liverpool is ‘here we go’, deal agreed in principle between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, and now waiting for the documents to be prepared, exchanged and checked by the lawyers.”
Once that paperwork is processed, Barcola will receive the green light to travel for his medical and sign his contract with Liverpool.
This is no late twist. Liverpool have tracked the France international for a long time and made him their priority for the left wing, even as noise from France and England suggested PSG would refuse to sell or demand absurd money. Romano referenced reports of a €170m valuation, stressing he had consistently warned that Liverpool’s interest was real and that such a fee was never going to be the reality.
The numbers now tell the story. Liverpool will pay a guaranteed £100m to PSG, with additional add-ons taking the total package, according to PSG sources, towards around €140m.
“Liverpool wanted Barcola in summer 2025 and now they’ve got him,” Romano explained, outlining how the Premier League club accelerated their plan. PSG are satisfied with the financial side, Liverpool land a winger they regard as one of the best in the world, and Barcola gets the move he wanted. As Romano put it, all parties are “happy”.
Spotlight swings to Gakpo
Barcola’s imminent arrival immediately raises the question: what next for Cody Gakpo?
The Dutchman has been the subject of growing speculation, with Tottenham and now Manchester City circling. Liverpool, aware of that uncertainty, have already tested the market for another wide option. Bids have gone in for Yankuba Minteh and enquiries have been made for Ismaila Sarr, but those attempts have so far been rebuffed.
Romano drew a clear line between those moves and Gakpo’s situation.
“What happens now with Liverpool’s second winger after the bids for Minteh, Ismaila Sarr and all the rest? It really depends on what happens with Cody Gakpo,” he said.
Tottenham are not just admirers; Romano reports that Gakpo already has an agreement with Spurs, while his agents are also in talks with Manchester City as they assess their own attacking options. Both clubs remain in what Romano described as “constant contact” to understand the conditions of a potential deal.
Liverpool’s next step hinges on that decision. If Gakpo leaves for Tottenham or City, the club plan to move again for another winger to complement Barcola and reshape the forward line. If he stays, they are prepared to go into the season with their current attacking group, now boosted by a marquee signing on the left.
So the Barcola saga is effectively done. The real intrigue now lies with Gakpo: does he fight for his place in a revamped Liverpool attack, or become the next major piece in someone else’s title puzzle?
