Bradley barcola's unusual Liverpool number instead of no.11

Bradley Barcola is on the brink of a blockbuster move to Liverpool, with the French winger set to wear an unusual Liverpool number – 29 – instead of the iconic No.11, after the clubs agreed Thursday on a £120 million deal that includes £100 million guaranteed.

Transfer Deal Sealed

REUTERS/Abdul Saboor By Alfie Cairns Culshaw PM GMT+1 the Frenchman’s transfer was concluded Thursday morning after months of negotiation. Liverpool reduced Paris Saint‑Germain’s asking price from £140 million to £120 million, committing £100 million guaranteed with the balance in add‑ons. The agreement still awaits a medical and is slated to be finalised before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Number 29 Legacy

Barcola will not inherit the vacant No.11 shirt that Mohamed Salah once wore; instead he is expected to claim the number 29. “When I was younger, I used to play FIFA,” Barcola said, recalling the EA FC story mode where Alex Hunter always wore 29. He added that the number became symbolic and he intends to keep it for his professional career.

The number 29 has been rare at Anfield, worn by only nine former Reds. It was last seen on loan with Brazilian Arthur Melo in the 2022/23 season and before that by Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke between 2017 and 2019. Earlier wearers include Fabio Borini, Stephen Wright and Brad Friedel, who donned it in the 1997/98 campaign.

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Coach Iraola’s Squad Vision

New head coach Andoni Iraola sees the squad numbers as clues to the club’s future, and Barcola’s choice may signal a fresh identity on the left flank, opposite the side Salah dominated. The 23‑year‑old French international is expected to operate primarily as a left‑winger, offering a long‑term solution after Salah’s departure.

Barcola’s arrival follows Liverpool’s sustained hunt for a superstar wide forward since the end of last season. While he may replace Salah’s output, his playing style differs, and the club hopes his iconic number will become synonymous with his own brand of football.

The deal is set to be completed before the Tuesday deadline, pending the customary medical examination. Once signed, Barcola will join a Liverpool squad that has drawn praise for fiscal discipline under the new management.

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By choosing an unusual number, Barcola has an opportunity to make 29 his own in Liverpool’s history, adding a fresh chapter to a legacy that has seen few household names on the back.