Liverpool have wrapped up a big-money deal for Bradley Barcola, signing the France international from Paris Saint-Germain in a transfer that could be worth up to £123m, with an initial fee of around £106m. The 23-year-old, who turns 24 on Wednesday, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Anfield.
Barcola's arrival forms part of new head coach Andoni Iraola's push to strengthen his wide options after taking over from Arne Slot this summer. The former Bournemouth boss has made adding wingers a clear priority, with Barcola following the earlier capture of Victor Muñoz as Liverpool look to reshape their attacking line for the years ahead.
Speaking after the move was finalised, Barcola expressed his delight at joining the Premier League champions and outlined his ambitions in England. "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 and be able to play," he said. "I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League - it's one of my biggest dreams in my life. It is to do that and to stay in this team in the long term - that's why I signed a long contract - and I hope I can do it."
The winger also revealed that once he learned of Liverpool's interest, his mind was made up. "When I knew about Liverpool's interest in me, I didn't ask questions and I knew it was a very big club for me," he said. PSG had delayed sanctioning his exit until they lined up replacements, but Barcola reportedly refused to consider any suitor other than Liverpool.
Barcola's signing appears to have all but ended the prospect of Cody Gakpo leaving Anfield this summer. Manchester City had opened talks over an £80m move for the Dutch forward, but with the transfer window nearing its close, Liverpool judged it too risky to sell a first-team player without adequate time to bring in a replacement. Attempts to sign alternatives such as Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr stalled after both clubs proved unwilling to do business, further complicating any potential departure for Gakpo.
Gakpo, who has been a key contributor under Iraola - scoring the new manager's first goal in charge and assisting Alexander Isak's strike against Nottingham Forest - remains a valued figure within the squad. Captain Virgil van Dijk has publicly voiced his desire to see the 27-year-old remain at the club, and with City's bid now understood to be close to collapse, Liverpool are increasingly confident of keeping him beyond deadline day.
With the Gakpo pursuit fading, Manchester City are turning their attention elsewhere, notably to Everton's Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegal international had been expected to join Tottenham, who proposed a deal potentially including a return for Richarlison, but City are now offering similar terms and could include Jack Grealish - who spent last season on loan at Everton - as part of a package, with Rico Lewis' name also mentioned in talks. City have already added a winger this window, completing a £32m signing of Palmeiras forward Allan, but are seeking further reinforcements after seeing both Savinho and Omar Marmoush depart for Tottenham, while Grealish's future could lie back at Everton.
Elsewhere in Liverpool's business, Harvey Elliott is poised to join Valencia on loan for the upcoming season after struggling to break into Iraola's plans following a similarly unproductive loan spell at Aston Villa last term.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football, The Independent, and BBC Sport.