Bradley Barcola transfer news: Liverpool complete £123m signing of France winger from PSG | Football News
Liverpool have completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcola has agreed a five-year contract at Anfield. Liverpool will pay a guaranteed £106m for the winger, with add-ons potentially taking the fee to £123m.
“It’s a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool. I’m very happy,” the 23-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com.
“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.”
There had been a gap in valuation between the two clubs earlier in the summer, with PSG previously asking for around £145m for the France international, but Barcola has now become Andoni Iraola’s third major signing of the summer after Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo, with Jeremy Jacquet also arriving having been signed in January.
Barcola becomes Liverpool’s second most expensive signing of all time, following the £125m deal for Alexander Isak from Newcastle last summer. He has been a long-term target and only wanted to move to Anfield.
In signing both Barcola and Munoz, Liverpool feel they have achieved their objective for the window of reinforcing in wide areas. They are unlikely to make any late additions unless there are outgoings.
Manchester City have been in contact with Liverpool over a move for Cody Gakpo.
Is Barcola really the right winger to replace Salah?
Analysis from Sky Sports News’ Callum Bishop:
Liverpool appear to have made their decision that Bradley Barcola is their Mohamed Salah replacement. Even if they don’t naturally play on the same flank, Barcola will surely be looked at as the man to bring Salah’s level of productivity from wide areas.
When you think of Salah in his pomp, you think of the goals he brought to the team by cutting in from the right flank. Perhaps there’s an expectation for the Frenchman to provide similar returns. But is that really what Liverpool need from their wingers?
Salah had his least productive season at Anfield last campaign. There are a number of factors behind why that is, but one of those was a change in his role thanks to the introduction of two number nines.
When the middle man in the Liverpool attack was Roberto Firmino, it allowed Salah to be the person chances were created for as the Brazilian was far from a stereotypical goalscorer. However, when Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak arrived on Merseyside, Salah’s modus operandi shifted. More of a provider, less of a finisher.
His record of 10 assists wasn’t terrible, but what’s interesting is that he only provided one for Ekitike and none for Isak.
Barcola is an incredibly talented player with major upside, but Ekitike and Isak may see his arrival as more of a hindrance in their desire to shine.
One thing is for sure. Jamie Carragher isn’t convinced that the France international is the answer Liverpool need.
“He’s a left winger for me,” Carragher said. “They don’t have anyone who looks comfortable playing on the right but they have four players in the squad before Barcola joins who can play off the left.
“In terms of balance of the squad, it’s not the position Liverpool need.”
Selected Liverpool transfers this summer
In
Jeremy Jacquet – Rennes, £60m
Victor Munoz – Osasuna, £34.5m
Ifeanyi Ndukwe – Austria Wien, undisclosed
Ronald Araujo – Barcelona, loan
Bradley Barcola – PSG, £123m
Out
Curtis Jones – Inter Milan, £30m
Mohamed Salah – Trabzonspor, free
Andy Robertson – Tottenham, free
Ibrahima Konate – Real Madrid, free







