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Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola could finally come to fruition in 2026, with the 23-year-old French international facing an uncertain future at the Parc des Princes amid stalled contract negotiations and reduced playing time following recent squad additions.
Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola Interest Intensifies as PSG Winger Faces Uncertain Future
Manager Arne Slot recently highlighted his desire to add pace to Liverpool’s squad when discussing new signing Hugo Ekitike, specifically mentioning Barcola among the exceptionally fast players he faced during PSG’s Champions League encounter last season. “That was one of the things I wanted to add to this team – incredible pace,” Slot told Sky Sports. “We faced Paris Saint-Germain last season, where we had to face Dembele, Barcola, Doue – all these incredibly fast players.”
Liverpool’s interest in Barcola dates back almost three years, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the club’s pursuit of the winger while he was still at Lyon in April 2023. The Reds explored a move for Barcola last summer and he remains on the club’s radar, with Liverpool’s recruitment team continuing to appreciate his qualities and potential fit within Slot’s tactical system.
Barcola’s exceptional speed statistics support Slot’s assessment, with the winger ranking among the top 11 players for highest top speeds recorded in last season’s Champions League at 35.6km/h. This season, he has improved further to rank third place with a top speed of 35.9km/h, establishing himself as one of Europe’s fastest wingers while also excelling in the 99th percentile for touches in the opposition’s penalty area.
The French international’s situation at PSG has become increasingly complicated over the past year, with contract negotiations stalling despite ongoing discussions. His playing time has been reduced following the arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the emergence of Ibrahim Mbaye, leaving Barcola without a guaranteed place in the starting lineup and seemingly uncertain about his future in Paris.
A L’Equipe journalist recently confirmed that Barcola could be a “real topic” to leave PSG in the summer of 2026, providing Liverpool with a potential opportunity to finally secure their long-term target. The combination of Slot’s public admiration for the player, Liverpool’s continued search for wingers, and Barcola’s availability suggests the transfer could materialize when the summer window opens.
