Liverpool make a very striking payment in negotiations over Barcola

Bradley Barcola could call himself a Liverpool player within days. The English giants are ready to make a notable extra payment in the negotiations for the Paris Saint-Germain winger. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are taking on a sum of five million euros that would normally be paid by the selling club.

Several senior figures at The Reds were involved in the transfer talks. Jacobs reports that Mike Gordon (president of Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group), Billy Hogan (Liverpool CEO) and Richard Hughes (sporting director) all played a part in the negotiations for the Paris Saint-Germain forward.

On Thursday evening, Gordon is said to have reached an agreement with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chairman of Paris Saint-Germain, over the additional payment. According to Jacobs, Liverpool will also pay another five million euros to Barcola's former club Olympique Lyon on top of the transfer fee.

The payment is linked to the so-called solidarity contribution. Part of the transfer fee normally goes to clubs that trained a player between the ages of 12 and 23. In Barcola's case, Lyon are the club who benefit from that.

More striking is the fact Liverpool are taking on those costs. According to Jacobs, the solidarity contribution is usually paid by the selling club, but Liverpool have decided to cover the amount themselves. The English club have taken a notably flexible stance in the negotiations.

Before that, Barcola spent a large part of his development at Lyon and eventually broke into the first team there. In January 2024, the French forward made the move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he further developed into one of the best wingers in Europe.

Jacobs reported on Saturday morning that Liverpool will pay a fee of 123 million euros, which could still rise to 144 million through bonuses. Official confirmation of the deal is expected in the coming days.