Stalled contract talks hand Liverpool advantage in deal for Gakpo upgrade

It promises to be a summer of big change for Liverpool’s attack.

Mohamed Salah is leaving having reached an agreement to tear up his £400k per week contract a year ahead of schedule. He will be joined on the exit ramp by Federico Chiesa - whose Anfield career has been a washout.

Their departures will open the door to new attackers - with Richard Hughes and Arne Slot understood to be prioritising one-v-one quality out wide.

And one player firmly in the Premier League champions’ sights according to a new report in Caught Offside is Bradley Barcola.

Liverpool seeking deal for Barcola

The France international, 23, is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2028. But there are concerns inside the Parc des Princes that Barcola won’t sign a new deal - and that could open the door for the Merseysiders to make a bid.

“Liverpool are understood to still be keen on a potential transfer deal for Bradley Barcola this summer, with the French winger stalling on signing a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain,” the report reads.

Salah and Chiesa leaving will mean a gap opening up on the right side of Liverpool’s attack for next season. Barcola however is being looked at as a potential improvement on Cody Gakpo on the other side of the attack.

“[Barcola] could also be targeted to give LFC that extra goal threat and spark from the left flank, as an upgrade on the inconsistent Cody Gakpo,” the report continues.

“Liverpool have liked him for some time, and this development could lead to concrete talks soon.”

Bradley Barcola: Situation summary

Bradley Barcola is a 2002-born French winger who plays for Paris Saint‑Germain, having joined from Lyon in August 2023 for a fee in the €40–45m range and signing a five‑year deal through 2028.

Standing around 182cm and right‑footed, he is predominantly used off the left, where he can attack full‑backs on the outside or drive infield to combine.

On the pitch, Barcola profiles as a modern touchline winger: he stretches the last line, is a high‑volume dribbler and relies more on feints, body swerves and quick ball rolls than raw first‑step pace to unbalance defenders.

He excels in transition, timing his runs to stay onside and attacking space behind aggressive back lines, while also showing growing confidence attacking the half‑space and linking with overlapping full‑backs and the central striker.

Since moving to Paris he has developed into a key attacking outlet for Luis Enrique, contributing goals and assists domestically and in Europe and being trusted in high‑leverage Champions League knockout ties.

Ligue 1 recognition as one of the signings of the season and strong numbers over the last two campaigns underline his trajectory as a future cornerstone wide forward at elite level rather than a pure rotation option.

Contract‑wise, Barcola is tied to PSG until 2028 and the club have been working on an extension, with the player viewed internally as a long‑term pillar of their post‑Mbappé frontline.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 A new centre-back is COMING to Liverpool

👉🏻 Liverpool finally replace Trent Alexander-Arnold with brilliant playmaker

👉🏻 Centre-back confirms he's ready to join Liverpool