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Liverpool sign Barcola in £123m deal as Gakpo expected to stay after City's £80m bid is rejected

France international Bradley Barcola has completed his move to Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial £106m, a fee that could rise to £123m. The winger signs a five-year contract and says winning the Premier League is one of his biggest dreams. Liverpool also rejected an £80m offer from Manchester City for Cody Gakpo and expect the Dutch forward to remain at Anfield.

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Bradley Barcola holds a Liverpool shirt during his presentation as a new signing at Anfield.
Bradley Barcola holds a Liverpool shirt during his presentation as a new signing at Anfield.

Bradley Barcola is officially a Liverpool player. The France international arrives from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial £106m, with the deal potentially rising to £123m through add-ons. He signs a five-year contract and becomes a key piece in the club's plan to rebuild the attack under new head coach Andoni Iraola.

  • Liverpool pay an initial £106m for Barcola, with the move able to reach £123m in total.
  • The French winger signs for five years and calls the Premier League title one of his biggest dreams.
  • Liverpool rejected an £80m weekend offer from Manchester City for Cody Gakpo.
  • Harvey Elliott is expected to join Valencia on a season-long loan.
  • Iraola has made wide players a priority this summer after replacing Arne Slot.

How much Liverpool are paying for Barcola and his contract details

The agreement with Paris Saint-Germain starts at £106m as a fixed fee. Once all performance-related clauses are included, the transfer could climb to £123m, putting Barcola among the most expensive signings in Liverpool history. The player, who turns 24 on Wednesday, is tied to the club for the next five seasons.

The move took longer than expected because PSG wanted to complete their own incoming business before sanctioning the exit of the former Lyon man. Other clubs showed interest in Barcola, but the attacker was clear from the start: he only wanted to join Liverpool.

Barcola names the Premier League title as his major target

In his first words as a Liverpool player, Barcola made no secret of his ambition. He admitted the process was lengthy, but said the happiness of joining the club makes up for it. His immediate focus is getting on the pitch and starting to compete.

It took a long time but I'm really happy today to be able to play for Liverpool. I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League: it's one of my biggest dreams in my life. I want to do that and stay in this team in the long term; that's why I signed a long contract.

Liverpool had been tracking Barcola's progress for several seasons. He was viewed as a strategic long-term target, and the club moved decisively once the market opened a realistic path to complete the signing. His arrival fits with a policy focused on young talent, also reflected in the additions of 21-year-old Jérémy Jacquet and 23-year-old Víctor Muñoz.

Liverpool reject Manchester City's £80m move for Gakpo

Manchester City submitted an £80m offer for Cody Gakpo over the weekend. Liverpool turned it down and remain confident the Dutch forward will stay this season. Selling a first-team player at this stage of the window is seen as a significant problem, with little time left to identify and sign a replacement.

Gakpo remains an important part of Iraola's plans. The new head coach has prioritised the arrival of wingers this summer, and the signings of Barcola and Muñoz reflect that push for more width, pace and attacking threat across the front line.

Harvey Elliott's Valencia loan and Iraola's new project

While Liverpool strengthen their attacking options, there is also movement in the opposite direction. Harvey Elliott is expected to join Valencia on loan for the remainder of the season. The midfielder returned this summer following a similar spell at Aston Villa, where he struggled to make an impact.

Elliott was involved in pre-season under Iraola, but did not make the squad for Liverpool's opening two Premier League fixtures. A move to LaLiga offers him the chance to play regular first-team football and rebuild momentum after a difficult recent period.

A transfer window built for Liverpool's long-term future

Liverpool's approach this summer points clearly towards rejuvenating the squad and building for the years ahead. With Barcola at 23, Jacquet at 21 and Muñoz at 23, the club has added emerging talent on the rise while securing long-term contracts that strengthen the sporting structure over the medium and long term.

Barcola is likely to be Liverpool's final incoming. The decision to reject Manchester City's bid for Gakpo confirms the priority now is keeping the core of the squad intact. Unless there is a late twist, the French winger will be the last piece in a window that aims to put Liverpool back among the title contenders.

Frequently asked questions

How much have Liverpool paid for Bradley Barcola?

Liverpool are paying Paris Saint-Germain an initial £106m for Barcola. The total value of the deal can rise to £123m once all add-ons are met.

How long is Barcola's contract at Liverpool?

Barcola has signed a five-year contract. He said the long-term deal reflects his desire to stay at the club for many years and to win the Premier League.

Will Cody Gakpo leave Liverpool for Manchester City?

Liverpool rejected an £80m offer from Manchester City for Gakpo. The club considers a sale at this late point in the window problematic and expects the Dutch forward to remain this season.

Based on reporting by The Guardian.