New Liverpool signing Bradley Barcola has outlined his intentions after completing a £123m transfer from Paris Saint-Germain
New Liverpool signing Bradley Barcola at AXA Training Centre
New Liverpool signing Bradley Barcola at AXA Training Centre(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Hugo Ekitike may remain sidelined for the foreseeable as he continues to recover from his serious Achilles injury, but that hasn't stopped the Liverpool forward attempting to influence matters on the pitch. Just ask new Reds signing Bradley Barcola.
"I was able to talk to Hugo, who I met in the French team and in my old club," says Barcola. "He was waiting for me to sign the contract, sending me messages often asking me if I was coming or not.
“I can’t wait to get back together and be able to play with him. Have I told him yet? I already said (to him) that it is done!”
What former Paris Saint-Germain colleague Ekitike knew and everyone had long anticipated was finally made official on Monday afternoon when Barcola was confirmed as potentially the second-most expensive signing in Liverpool's history when arriving from the Champions League holders.
The Reds will pay PSG a guaranteed £106million along with up to £17m in bonuses, which if achieved would take the overall outlay to £123m - surpassed only by the record £125m spend on Alexander Isak last year.
And having been patient for the much-touted transfer to be completed, Barcola - who will wear his lucky number 29 shirt - has wasted no time in outlining his ambitions.
"I hope to achieve very big things," he said. "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.
"It's a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool. I'm very happy. It took a long time but I'm really happy to be able to play for Liverpool and all I want is to be on the pitch and be able to play."
Barcola, who had his medical over the weekend after arriving on Merseyside, registered 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 appearances during a spell at PSG in which he won 13 trophies in three years.
While capable of playing across the frontline, he forged his reputation on the left flank and has already held discussions with Reds head coach Andoni Iraola over his role in an evolving Liverpool team.
"I was able to talk to him several times and he told me that my quality brought a real plus to this team and he was counting on me, that he had confidence in me," said the Frenchman.
"What can I bring? It's to bring speed, danger. I think the style of play of the coach and my style of play are very similar, so I think I can only add more of the same to this team.
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"I think my qualities are very good for the Premier League. I've been able to play many times against teams from the Premier League."
Among those, of course, is Liverpool, against whom he played twice at Anfield in victories for PSG in the Champions League knockout stages during the last two seasons.
"I had the chance to play twice in this stadium and I saw the atmosphere and how the fans were behind the Liverpool players," he said, speaking to LFC TV.
"It was very hard because there are some very good players here and it's a very good team. And then it's even harder because of the supporters and the atmosphere that there was.
"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. I thought back to the atmosphere in the stadium and once again I was able to feel it."
Barcola's last competitive appearance came when scoring for France in their 6-4 World Cup bronze medal match defeat to England on July 18, although he was on the bench for PSG's UEFA Super Cup win over Aston Villa three weeks ago.
Friday evening's trip to promoted Ipswich Town represents a first opportunity for the France international to pull on a red shirt.
And on being asked when he believes himself ready to play, Barcola said: "Honestly, as soon as possible. I worked hard during the holidays, I did everything I could to stay fit as much as possible so I feel ready already.
"I just want to play, that's all I'm waiting for. It will be incredible."