Liverpool sign Barcola for £106m as Gakpo expected to stay
Liverpool have completed the signing of France international Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial £106m, rising to £123m, on a five-year deal. The move follows manager Andoni Iraola's focus on strengthening the wings this summer as he looks to rebuild the club's attacking line, and Barcola said winning the Premier League was "one of my biggest dreams".
Barcola, who turns 24 this week, had been a long-term Liverpool target and was reportedly only willing to join this club, with the deal delayed while PSG sought replacements. He is expected to be Liverpool's last major signing of the window, with the club having rejected an £80m approach from Manchester City for Cody Gakpo and expecting the Dutch forward to stay. Harvey Elliott looks set to join Valencia on loan, while the recent arrivals of Barcola, Jérémy Jacquet, 21, and Victor Muñoz, 23, reflect a strategy of recruiting younger players for the long term.
In short
- Liverpool sign Bradley Barcola from PSG for up to £123m.
- Club rejects Manchester City's £80m bid for Cody Gakpo.
- Harvey Elliott expected to join Valencia on loan.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Barcola’s arrival could give Liverpool a dynamic wide attacker and support the manager’s plan to rebuild the forward line for sustained success. Paying a club-record fee may be defensible if his age, commitment and potential help the team compete for major honours over several seasons.
The case against
A fee that could reach £123m carries substantial financial and sporting risk, especially for a young player adapting to a new league and a high-profile role. Liverpool might have used that investment elsewhere or accepted Manchester City’s reported £80m offer for Gakpo, whose value to the existing squad could be difficult to replace.
Explained simply
Liverpool are one of England’s most successful football clubs and compete in the Premier League, the country’s top division. The club is rebuilding its attack under manager Andoni Iraola, with a focus on adding options on the wings, where forwards can create chances and score from wide areas.
Bradley Barcola is a France international who had been playing for Paris Saint-Germain, one of France’s leading clubs. Liverpool have also brought in younger players Jérémy Jacquet and Victor Muñoz, while Harvey Elliott may leave temporarily to gain experience at Valencia.
Cody Gakpo is a Dutch forward who can play in several attacking positions. Liverpool turned down an offer from Manchester City for him, and his expected stay matters to how the club plans its forward line.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Liverpool sign Barcola in £123m deal and expect Gakpo to stay after City offer £80m”.