PSG winger Bradley Barcola has made it clear this summer that he no longer wants to battle for a starting spot with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele, aiming to join a team where he can be the main attacking star. Liverpool have shown serious interest in acquiring the 23-year-old Frenchman.
The attacking flanks at Anfield remain vulnerable. Following Mohamed Salah's departure, the coaching staff faces a limited selection of top-tier wingers: Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Federico Chiesa. The German midfielder has faced criticism during his adaptation, the Dutchman has struggled with inconsistency, and the Italian has been searching for regular game time after two tough years under former coach Arne Slot.
Given these circumstances, Barcola has emerged as the ideal target for the Merseyside club. According to reputable insider Fabrizio Romano, both parties have already agreed on the terms of the deal: a fixed transfer fee of €116.5 million, which could rise to €140 million with bonuses, is in place, and both clubs only need to tidy up the final details.
The significance of the number 29
When it comes to choosing a shirt number at Anfield, Barcola is unlikely to deliberate for long, as he will almost certainly opt for the number 29. Despite the number 11 becoming available after Salah's exit, the number 29 holds deep personal significance for the player.
Barcola has previously mentioned that his choice was influenced by the popular video game series FIFA (now EA Sports FC). Between FIFA 17 and FIFA 19, a beloved storyline mode called The Journey featured a fictional footballer, Alex Hunter, who proudly donned the number 29.
As a youngster, Barcola was so inspired by this story that he made a firm promise:
The day I become a professional footballer, I will choose this number and never give it up.
However, he couldn’t fulfill this promise straight away; during his professional debut, the Frenchman wore the number 45, and he only secured the coveted number 29 after his move to PSG in the 2023/24 season. He has yet to wear this number for the French national team.
In Liverpool's history, the number 29 has previously been worn by players such as Arthur, Dominic Solanke, and Fabio Borini. Now, Reds fans are eager to witness a new chapter and pay tribute to Barcola as he honours his virtual hero.
