Liverpool have reached an outline agreement to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG, and the French winger could be handed his favourite shirt number at Anfield. The No. 29 shirt is currently vacant, offering Barcola a dream start if the transfer is completed before the September 1 deadline.
The two clubs have been in lengthy negotiations, and according to The Athletic, Liverpool and PSG have agreed on a total package worth £120 million. This would make Barcola the second-most expensive signing in Liverpool's history, with £100 million guaranteed and the remaining £20 million in add-ons.
No. 29 Holds Special Significance for Barcola
The 23-year-old currently wears the number for PSG and would become the first Liverpool player to wear it since Arthur Melo in the 2022/23 campaign. Barcola has previously explained the meaning behind his attachment to the number.
Speaking to Club Legacyz, he said: "It's actually a funny story. When I was younger, I used to play FIFA. In the story mode with Alex Hunter, this number became symbolic for me."
He added: "I thought to myself, 'The day I go pro, it'll be number 29.' And here I am, I adopted it, and now I'll never let it go."
Salah Replacement and Squad Impact
Barcola has been targeted as Liverpool's preferred replacement for Mohamed Salah, who left earlier this summer. He could also take the No. 11 shirt, left vacant by Salah's exit, though the ECHO understands work still needs to be done for the transfer to be concluded successfully.
Barcola's potential arrival could impact Cody Gakpo's future, which has been uncertain for much of the summer. The Netherlands star scored in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United last Sunday and has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. If the deal concludes in the coming days, Barcola's first match for Liverpool could come against Ipswich Town at Portman Road next Friday.
