Deal close! Secret PSG agreement sending Barcola to Liverpool

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Liverpool’s move to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG has been spectacularly unlocked, opening the door for the France winger to complete a move to Anfield.

The two-time Champions League winners have found their replacement for Barcola in the form of Ajax’s Mika Godts, with PSG sporting director Luis Campos spotted talking with the Belgian in Portugal on Friday in a deal that has come like a bolt from the blue.

This raises the possibility of Barcola’s move to Liverpool accelerating rapidly in the days ahead, although there are several clear hurdles that need to be cleared.

Current ETV

Bradley Barcola

F, AM (L)

PSG

Bradley Barcola

F, AM (L)

PSG

€63.6M

ETV Range

€57.2M - €70M

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PSG closing in on Godts

An agreement on personal terms between Godts and PSG will be no problem, although reaching a transfer agreement with Ajax could prove trickier as the Amsterdam club are asking for €60m for the 21-year-old.

Fabrizio Romano explained: “Luis Campos has already met the player face-to-face in Portugal and, from what I'm told, Mika Godts is in love with the Paris Saint-Germain project. He is excited by the vision presented to him, the ambition of the club and the work Luis Campos has done behind the scenes.

“Godts has given PSG the green light and is ready to join. Personal terms are not an issue and an agreement on the player's side will be completed if PSG can reach a deal with Ajax.

“The negotiations are now between the clubs. PSG have already opened talks with Ajax and have submitted an offer. Ajax are asking for €60 million, while PSG are prepared to pay less, but discussions are ongoing and this is only the beginning of the negotiations.”

Barcola to Liverpool: Door wide open for massive deal

Once PSG have the Godts issue settled, the crucial remaining issue will be finding an agreement with Liverpool over a transfer fee for Barcola.

The winger may not have personal terms secured with the Anfield side yet, but all the indications are that he is eager to make the move.

PSG have put an asking price of €170m on his head, which would represent a Premier League record fee if Liverpool were to buy him at that price point, though no breakthrough is expected to be imminent, even if the Ligue 1 side complete their move for Godts.

The intention remains to negotiate hard over Barcola, who still has two years on his contract remaining, and has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €63.6m.

PSG, though, have never hidden the fact that they are willing to sell any players not totally committed to their project, and with Godts coming in, there is a sense that now Barcola can leave.

Bradley Barcola vs Mika Godts

Barcola and Godts are both primarily left wingers, but the manner in which they interpret the role is very different.

The Frenchman relies on his acceleration and exploiting gaps behind opposing defences, making him highly useful in some situations but rendering him more impotent in others. On top of this, he is a streaky finisher and can be unreliable in front of goal.

Godts, who at 21 is two years younger than Barcola, is much more of a winger in the Khvicha Kvaratskhelia mould. He is comfortable beating players in tight areas. While he carries less of a goal threat than Barcola, at least in terms of shots per match and xG per 90, he finished last season with more goals per 90, indicating far greater efficiency.

He is also naturally far more creative, delivering more than 50% more key passes and nearly double the xA of Barcola in league play last season.

PSG are, therefore, ready to trade their most devastating winger in transition for a more subtle operator, but it is a deal that is set to leave everyone happy, with Barcola increasingly likely to be Liverpool-bound.