Bradley Barcola has said winning the Premier League is “one of my biggest dreams in my life”, after joining Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool completed the signing for an initial £106m, with the fee able to rise by a further £17m in add-ons.
Barcola has signed a five-year contract at Anfield and will wear the No 29 shirt. His arrival makes him one of the most expensive players in Liverpool’s history and gives Andoni Iraola another attacking option following Mohamed Salah’s departure at the end of last season.
Barcola becomes Liverpool’s third permanent signing of the summer, after Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet, while Ronald Araujo has joined on loan from Barcelona. The club have also agreed a £4.3m solidarity payment to Lyon as part of the arrangements surrounding Barcola’s 2023 move from the French club to PSG.
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The 23-year-old had two years remaining on his PSG contract but had made clear his preference for a move to Liverpool. He had been an important part of the French club’s recent success, helping them win successive Ligue 1 and Champions League titles.
Barcola made 49 appearances last season, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. His opportunities became more limited after PSG strengthened their attack, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue often preferred.
He was an unused substitute in PSG’s European Super Cup victory over Aston Villa and was left out of the squad for their early Ligue 1 matches against Lens, Rennes and Lille.
Barcola also featured prominently for France at the World Cup this summer, making eight appearances and scoring three goals.
“It’s a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool,” Barcola said on his unveiling. “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.
“I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League — it’s one of my biggest dreams in my life.”
Liverpool had been pursuing Barcola as part of their plans to refresh the forward line. His preferred position is on the left, the area in which Salah had operated for much of his Liverpool career.
The club are not expected to make another first-team signing before Tuesday’s deadline unless there are departures. Manchester City showed serious interest in Cody Gakpo and put in an £80m bid for him, but Liverpool turned it down due to lack of time to secure a replacement.
