Sky is the limit for Bradley Barcola but he must improve in these areas

Bradley Barcola can be the real deal for Liverpool if he adds end product to his already impressive skillset.

That’s the view of French football expert Julian Laurens, who believes the Reds could get their money’s worth as they close in on signing of the Paris Saint-Germain star in a package deal worth £123million.

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After a long-running transfer saga, Barcola is finally set to complete a move to Anfield.

While PSG at one point were demanding £145m, Liverpool refused to stump up the fee as they were reluctant to break their own £125m Premier League transfer record to sign Alexander Isak last summer.

Ultimately, the two sides have settled on a fixed £106m fee for Barcola, rising to £123m with add-ons.

It’s also understood Liverpool will cover PSG’s solidarity payment to Lyon, thought to be around £5m.

Worth every penny?

Barcola’s imminent arrival is set to make him the Premier League’s most expensive summer signing, with his fee eclipsing the transfers of Morgan Rogers (£117m) and Elliot Anderson (£116m).

The huge transfer brings massive expectation, with Barcola now expected to display more of the huge potential he showcased at PSG.

He has carved out a strong reputation for both club and country, hitting double figures in the last two seasons to help PSG clinch back-to-back Champions League titles, as well as netting three goals for France at this summer’s World Cup.

But French football journalist Laurens believes Barcola has exactly what it takes to make this a worthwhile investment for Liverpool.

Discussing the move on talkSPORT, he joked: “I think it’s probably a bargain! No, not at that price. Nobody’s a bargain at that price.

“And that’s what PSG wanted. It’s £100m, plus £20m in add-ons. I think those add-ons will probably be triggered at some point, because I expect him to do well for Liverpool.”

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Barcola’s big-money move will make him the latest marquee signing over the past year at Anfield – which have seen mixed success.

Alexander Isak’s British-record £125m move last summer saw Liverpool smash the previous best fee they shelled out for Florian Wirtz in the same window.

However, both have struggled to justify their price tags, and Barcola can expect similar levels of scrutiny if he fails to perform.

‘Amazing player’

Despite the weight of expectation on Barcola, Laurens insisted he possesses all of the ability to thrive at Anfield – provided he adds end product to his impressive dribbling ability and pace.

Laurens continued: “£120 million is a lot. It’s a lot if he doesn’t work out like Wirtz and Isak so far. It’s not that much if Barcola helps you get in the Champions League or the title.”

“It’s always the same, right? Time will tell if you’ve overpaid or if you paid the right price or if you’ve underpaid.

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“There’s an amazing player there. We’ve seen it in the last two seasons, especially in Paris.

“There’s work to do on his finishing, in his decision-making at times and his end product.”

While Barcola might not be the finished product, he already finds himself at a strong starting point aged just 23, having fired in 13 goals altogether last season, and an impressive 21 in the 2024/25 campaign.

On his huge potential, Laurens added: “He’s 24 next week. At 24, I think the sky is the limit because he’s got so much pace, so much skill.

“He’s learned a lot in recent weeks, especially in terms of work ethic and work out of possession in his pressing and counter-pressing.

“So he will fit Iraola’s style so well. It’s just, can he make the step up between Ligue 1 and the Premier League, obviously, and how long will that take?”