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Bradley Barcola to Liverpool: PSG and France forward is quick, strong, versatile, intelligent – and in demand this summer | Football News

Published

3 minutes ago

August 27, 2026

Bradley Barcola could be the most expensive transfer of this summer window but why is he so prized? He has achieved plenty already. But there is more to come.

The 23-year-old France international has just won the Champions League with PSG back-to-back but had to be content with coming off the bench in both finals. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s arrival from Napoli in January of 2025 established him as first choice on the left.

But just because Barcola is not a guaranteed starter in Paris does not mean that he is not a guaranteed star. This is a player with pace, physicality and intelligence, someone whose skills have been honed under Luis Enrique. With Barcola, the potential is as vast as the fee.

The rise of Barcola

For a player so highly rated, Barcola’s rise has been serendipitous. At Lyon, he was on the fringes of the first team under France legend Laurent Blanc until a player exit changed everything. “That was a turning point,” Jean-Francois Vulliez told Sky Sports.

“A club in Switzerland was interested because he was not playing for the first team. At that time, Blanc was the coach and we had Karl Toko Ekambi. But he decided he wanted to leave so the coach decided to stop the loan because we might need Bradley.

Vulliez explained: “It was a key moment because he realised that if Toko Ekambi left, Bradley could be a solution and there was an opportunity to use him. Toko Ekambi did leave. Bradley stayed. One match later, there was an injury and Laurent needed him.”

Having worked with Barcola as a boy in Lyon’s academy, Vulliez knows him well. In fact, he actually followed Barcola to PSG and now works as a development coach for the French and European champions. In his job, he has seen plenty of standout youngsters.

But Barcola was not necessarily one of them. He was a talent, for sure. But this level of success? That was not obvious. “He was a normal kid, he never played above his age category, never jumped a stage. His maturation was a normal process,” he explained.

“It is an interesting pathway because every player is different. Sometimes, there are players like [Kylian] Mbappe who mature very early. Others need time. Bradley never played for France’s age-group teams. He was a good player but not physically ready.

“We were very patient with him at Lyon because we knew he had the skills, we just had to wait for that maturation process, that psychological maturation, that physical maturation. When that transformation eventually happens, they will improve quickly.”

Following Toko Ekambi’s exit, Barcola scored five goals in nine games in early 2023 and after impressing for his country at that summer’s European Under-21 Championship, there came a protracted move to PSG. “His body was in Lyon but his head was in Paris.”

The three seasons that have followed have brought 13 trophies and 39 goals in over 150 appearances. Under Luis Enrique, he has adapted his game, taking much better care of the ball than before. Barcola knows when to run at defences and when to keep it simple.

The player that Barcola is today is a product of that understated youth career. A late developer physically, dominating defenders was not an option as a teenager. That forced him into finding other ways. “He developed his intelligence,” pointed out Vulliez.

“He was able to scan the pitch, take good information and use the space. Very early, he had this and he had speed. Then, he progressed with his muscles, became powerful. It is a combination of these tactical abilities, technical abilities and physical abilities.”

Barcola has been used primarily as a left-sided wide forward at PSG. But his instincts are closer to that of a striker than a winger. Indeed, he played up front at Lyon until the age of 17. From that flank, he can cut inside and shoot into the far corner with his stronger foot.

They are instincts that are hard to teach and top clubs cherish those in wide positions who possess them because it is not enough to look good – players need numbers. Barcola is balanced, in this sense, because he can score goals and create chances for others.

This graphic highlights his impressive shot volume for PSG, ranking among the top 10 players in Ligue 1 per 90 minutes last season. Playing wide does not stop him. “He is very clever with his runs inside.” The timing of those movements is an important trait.

“Because he played as a striker, he retains that ability to know when he needs to come inside and when he needs to run beyond. With Bradley in your team, you need to use this capacity to come between the lines or run from deep, because it is his strength.

Is Liverpool the right fit?

Like Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha, Bradley Barcola has played mainly from the left but stylistically he is a good fit for Andoni Iraola because of his willingness to run onto the ball rather than expect it to feet. This is something that Liverpool have missed.

Without the off-the-ball movement of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez, Liverpool looked a very different team under Arne Slot last season. Florian Wirtz is at his best when sliding passes through the lines for runners. Barcola would relish that delivery.

“We never had a problem with him at the academy because he is intelligent and listens so when you are the coach that makes it easier to manage him because he can adapt to whatever strategy the coach wants to use. He understands because he is clever.

“I do not think you can transform a player after the age of 17 because if the player does not have the intelligence at that age then they will never have it. That is why it is vital to develop this intelligence early. Bradley has it. You can adapt his position later.”

More will be demanded as he progresses. His finishing can be a little lax. Enrique has pushed him to become more clinical. But there is time. “There are many very good players who improved their finishing when they became more mature,” said Vulliez.

“As with every young player, sometimes they need that push but he has the mind to do it and that makes it easier. Maybe the left wing is the better position for him right now but I am curious to see how he develops because I believe he is able to become a No 9.”

That flexibility makes him appealing. Barcola has operated on the right too and has the pace to get to the byline if that is what the coach wants from him. He ranked among the top 10 fastest players in the Champions League last season. He can play knock and run.

He is a better player than the one who arrived in Paris, better too than the prospect in Lyon’s academy. “Nobody could have imagined this,” Vulliez conceded. The question now being asked by clubs regarding Barcola is how much better he could still become.

Sports

Spurs 5 – 1 Charlton

Published

10 minutes ago

August 27, 2026

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Savio grabbed a goal and assist on a dream debut as Tottenham thrashed Charlton to progress into the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The Brazilian, signed from Man City for £85m on Tuesday, was introduced as a second-half substitute and took just 11 minutes to open his account, adding to the hype surrounding his arrival in north London.

Roberto De Zerbi named a strong side to face the Championship opposition, with many senior names included in the starting XI after Spurs’ dreadfully disappointing defeat to Brentford in their Premier League opener.

It was youngster Mikey Moore who finally broke down a stubborn Charlton defence though, smashing the ball through the hands of Tiernan Brooks to score his first Tottenham goal. That lead was quickly doubled just five minutes later, with Dominic Solanke smartly finishing after the visitors failed to clear their lines.

Several other high profile names were introduced after an hour, including Kevin Danso who headed home from a Mateus Fernandes free-kick with his first touch. However, Spurs fans will only thinking about the magic of Savio after he came on in the 71st minute.

The forward cut inside from the right and fired smartly into the bottom corner to add Spurs’ fourth, before his scrappy effort deflected off veteran Ben Davies for a fifth just three minutes later.

There was still time for Charlton to find a consolation courtesy of the head of Lloyd Jones, but it meant little as Spurs cruised into third round, where they will meet Liverpool at Anfield.

‘He lit the place up’ – All the reaction from Savio’s electric Spurs start

Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:

“He lit the place up. This is what Tottenham want. Players like that who can get you off your seat. Who can cut inside and hit a ferocious left footed shot. He was excellent.”

Sky Sports’ Jermaine Beckford:

“When players are full of confidence, especially attacking players, they like to attack at you. He’s no different. The confidence is there to be seen.”

Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke:

“He did great when he came on. He’s going to be a joy for all of us to watch. I’m sure he will be a fan favourite. He showed what a player he is tonight. To get one goal and an assist on his debut is great.”

Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop:

“A lot can happen in just one minute of football. Even more can happen in 20. As we have just seen, that’s enough time to make yourself a cult hero.

“Savio’s arrival at Tottenham was shrouded in question marks. Why were Spurs willing to part with so much money for a player who managed just three goal contributions in the Premier League last season?

“Yet, the moment he stepped out onto the pitch in a white shirt, he was a livewire. Spurs fans value entertainment, and they were off their feet any time he got on the ball.

“The fact there was some end product that came with the excitement is even more important, especially for a Spurs side that have often been lacklustre in attack.

“The opponents will get tougher, and Savio will need to rise to that. However, as first outings go, having joined barely 24 hours ago, you can’t ask for much more.”

The key moments from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

26: CLOSE! Charlton go cross to breaking deadlock with two near-misses.

30: SAVE! Brooks denies Gray with fingertips save.

40: GOAL! Moore opens Spurs account to give hosts lead.

45: GOAL! Solanke makes it two with a smart finish.

67: GOAL! Danso heads home with first touch to extend lead.

71: DEBUT! Savio makes his Spurs bow in place of Solanke.

82: GOAL! The moment Savio dreamt off as he scores on his debut.

85: GOAL! Savio involved again as shot deflect off Davies for five.

87: GOAL! Jones grabs consolation for Charlton from corner.

Sports

Liverpool transfer news: No approaches for Harvey Elliott or Federico Chiesa but club willing to listen to offers | Football News

Published

17 minutes ago

August 27, 2026

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The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers…

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool are yet to receive any official approaches for attacking duo Harvey Elliott or Federico Chiesa but the club are willing to listen to offers for the duo this week – Daily Mail

Newcastle have not given up hope of signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo before Tuesday’s transfer deadline – Daily Mail

Aston Villa have asked about West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo as they search for a centre back to replace Ezri Konsa – Daily Mail

Chelsea are progressing in talks with Atalanta over their 18-year-old defender Honest Ahanor – Daily Mail

Arsenal could offer Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus in part-exchange for Julian Alvarez – The Independent

Crystal Palace have rebuffed an initial approach from Liverpool for Ismaila Sarr – The Athletic

Chelsea are ready to make a last-ditch mega offer to sign Alex Scott as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez – The Athletic

CRICKET

Joe Root’s dad has revealed that his son did not initially want to accept the England captaincy for a second time – The Times

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

Rangers have reportedly been offered £6m for Djeidi Gassama by competing Serie A duo Monza and Parma – Scottish Sun

St Mirren have struck a deal to sign Manchester United defender Louis Jackson – Scottish Sun

Sports

Bradley Barcola transfer news: Liverpool reach £120m deal in principle for PSG forward | Football News

Published

23 minutes ago

August 27, 2026

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Liverpool have an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Bradley Barcola for a package worth £120m.

The deal has not been finalised, with last details still being discussed, but there has been a breakthrough in negotiations.

There had been a gap in valuation between the two clubs throughout the summer, with PSG previously asking for around £145m for the France international.

The final detail of the proposed deal is still to be agreed but the £120m fee is understood to now be fixed in place as the value Liverpool will be paying for the 23-year-old.

Should Liverpool get this deal over the line before the deadline, it would allow Cody Gakpo to leave Anfield, with Tottenham and Manchester City both interested in the Dutchman.

Liverpool are also trying to sign a second new winger, with their target currently Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr following difficult negotiations with Brighton for Yankuba Minteh.

Liverpool’s search for a second winger

Liverpool have approached Palace over a potential deal for Sarr.

Andoni Iraola’s side are considering their options after talks stalled with Brighton over Minteh. Brighton are holding out for £80m after rejecting two bids from Liverpool, the latest worth £60m.

Meanwhile, Palace have no intention of letting Sarr go at this stage and consider the 28-year-old to be not for sale. He has three years left on his contract.

Sarr missed Palace’s opening weekend defeat at Everton. Reports claimed he was refusing to train but it is understood that the winger is currently injured.

More to follow…