Paris Saint-Germain set €170m price for Bradley Barcola amid Liverpool interest

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has refused to clarify Bradley Barcola’s future after the France winger was left out of the club’s 2-1 UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa.

Barcola’s absence from the match, combined with his limited participation in the pre-match warm-up, intensified speculation that Liverpool could make a move for the 22-year-old during the current transfer window.

The Frenchman was almost the only Paris Saint-Germain player not to complete the warm-up, with new signing Lucas Digne also appearing not to take part in the full session. Barcola was then seen standing some distance away from his team-mates as they lifted the trophy, still wearing his training jacket.

Those details have prompted further questions about whether Barcola remains part of Paris Saint-Germain’s plans, despite his contract running until the summer of 2028.

Al-Khelaifi offered little to settle the uncertainty when asked about the player by RMC Sport.

“Today he is a Paris Saint-Germain player. We will see what comes of the discussions and negotiations,” he said.

He then added: “You, the media, talk a lot, but I do not talk.”

Barcola is understood to have rejected the possibility of extending his current contract and is open to taking on a new challenge during the transfer window.

Liverpool have identified him as a target to strengthen their attacking options, particularly following the departure of Egypt forward Mohamed Salah. There is reportedly a shared willingness to discuss a potential transfer, but negotiations have yet to produce an agreement.

The main obstacle is the difference between Paris Saint-Germain’s valuation and the fee Liverpool have so far been prepared to offer. The French club are reported to want about €170m (£147m) for Barcola, a figure that remains well above Liverpool’s proposals.

Liverpool are not the only club monitoring the situation. Arsenal have previously made enquiries about Barcola’s availability and the possibility of signing him this summer.

Barcola joined Paris Saint-Germain from Olympique Lyonnais in the summer of 2023 for €45m. He strengthened his reputation during the previous campaign, scoring 13 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions and establishing himself as one of the leading attacking options in the squad.

Paris Saint-Germain began their new season with silverware by beating Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup, but the celebrations did little to ease the uncertainty surrounding Barcola.

The coming days could prove decisive in determining whether the winger remains with the European champions or whether Liverpool – or another interested club – turns its interest into a formal deal that brings his time in Paris to an end.