Liverpool finally get their man: $144M Bradley Barcola becomes second-most expensive signing | Football News
Liverpool have completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, with the 23-year-old forward joining the Reds on a long-term contract after passing his medical and completing the formalities of the transfer.The deal is worth a guaranteed £106 million ($144m), according to ESPN sources, with a further £17m ($23m) available in performance-related add-ons. That makes Barcola the second-most-expensive signing in Liverpool’s history, behind only Alexander Isak, who joined the club from Newcastle United for £125m last summer.Barcola has signed a five-year contract and will wear the No.29 shirt at Anfield.Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com after completing his move, Barcola said: “It’s a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool. I’m very happy.“It took a long time but I’m really happy today to be able to play for Liverpool and all I want is to be on the pitch and be able to play.“I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League – it’s one of my biggest dreams in my life.“It is to do that and to stay in this team in the long term – that’s why I signed a long contract – and I hope I can do it.”
Why Barcola chose Liverpool
Barcola had been a long-term Liverpool target and, according to ESPN sources, was unwilling to consider alternative destinations this summer as he pushed for a move away from PSG.The France international had become an important part of PSG’s recent success, making 152 appearances, scoring 39 goals and providing 35 assists during his three-year spell in Paris. He won back-to-back Champions League titles and three successive Ligue 1 crowns with the club.His departure comes after competition for places at PSG prompted him to look for a new opportunity, with Liverpool offering him the chance to take on a major role in their attack.Barcola had also previously played twice at Anfield and said those experiences helped convince him that Liverpool was the right destination.“I had the chance to play twice in this stadium and I saw the atmosphere and how the fans were behind the Liverpool players.“When I knew about Liverpool’s interest in me, I didn’t ask questions and I knew it was a very big club for me.”Barcola’s career before LiverpoolBarcola began his senior career with Lyon, making his first-team debut in November 2021. He went on to make 47 appearances for the French club, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists before joining PSG in August 2023.He made 49 appearances for PSG last season, scoring 13 goals and registering seven assists.The forward has also established himself as a France international since making his debut in June 2024. He has won 28 caps and scored six goals, including three during this summer’s World Cup, where he featured in every match as France finished fourth.At Liverpool, he becomes the club’s third permanent signing of the summer after Víctor Muñoz and Jérémy Jacquet, while Ronald Araújo has also arrived from Barcelona on a season-long loan.Barcola’s arrival also comes with uncertainty around Cody Gakpo, with Manchester City having made an approach for the Liverpool forward. ESPN sources say Liverpool are unlikely to make another first-team signing before Tuesday’s transfer deadline unless there are further departures, although Gakpo’s exit would require the club to find a suitable replacement.For now, Liverpool have secured one of Europe’s most sought-after young forwards, with Barcola arriving at Anfield determined to turn a long-awaited transfer into a new chapter of his career.
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