Liverpool sign Barcola from PSG for £123mn; Man City land Allan from Palmeiras
Synopsis
Liverpool have splashed up to £123 million on PSG winger Bradley Barcola — their biggest transfer response yet to losing both Salah and Diaz in the same window. Across the city, Manchester City quietly added Brazilian winger Allan Elias for £32 million. Deadline day in the Premier League just got very expensive.
Key Takeaways
Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola from PSG for up to £123 million (£106mn guaranteed) on 31 August .
Barcola penned a five-year contract and will wear the No.29 jersey at Anfield.
The signing follows the departures of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich and Mohamed Salah to Trabzonspor .
Manchester City signed Brazilian winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras for an initial £32 million , plus £2.2 million in add-ons, on a five-year deal .
Barcola is a two-time Champions League winner with PSG, though he featured mainly as a substitute in the finals.
Liverpool have completed the signing of French winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a deal worth up to £123 million, with £106 million guaranteed and the remainder in add-ons, as the summer transfer window drew to a close on 31 August. In a separate move, Manchester City confirmed the arrival of Brazilian winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras for an initial fee of £32 million, with potential add-ons of £2.2 million.
Barcola's Move to Anfield
Barcola, a French international, completed his medical and signed a five-year contract at the AXA Training Centre, where he will wear the No.29 jersey. Liverpool confirmed the deal in an official statement, describing the formalities as concluded at their training base.
'It's a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool. I'm very happy,' Barcola said, as quoted by the club. He added: '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. 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.'
Why Liverpool Needed Barcola
The signing addresses a pressing need at Anfield. Liverpool saw Luis Diaz depart to German club Bayern Munich, while club legend Mohamed Salah ended a nine-year association with the Reds, joining Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor. Barcola is expected to provide attacking cover alongside Alexander Isak and inject pace and versatility into the frontline.
At PSG, Barcola's minutes were limited as the club favoured Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Despite being a two-time Champions League winner with the Parisian club, he was largely restricted to substitute appearances in the finals. Liverpool will be hoping a more central role revives his best form.
City Rope in Allan from Palmeiras
Across Manchester, Enzo Maresca's City secured the services of Allan Elias on a five-year deal. The Brazilian winger moves from Palmeiras — notably described in City's announcement as an 'Italian club', though Palmeiras are a Brazilian side — in what represents a significant outlay for an emerging talent.
'This is a surreal moment for me,' Allan said, as quoted by Manchester City. 'Manchester City, with everything they have won over the past 15 years, are one of the most attractive clubs in the world for players. To be able to sit here today and say I have joined them is the proudest moment of my life.' He pledged to give 'absolutely everything' to help City continue winning trophies.
Deadline Day Context
Both signings underline the scale of spending as clubs scrambled to strengthen before the transfer window shut. Liverpool's outlay on Barcola is among the largest fees paid for a winger in Premier League history, reflecting the premium placed on wide attackers with pace and Champions League experience. City, meanwhile, continue to build depth under Maresca as they look to reclaim domestic dominance. With the window now closed, both clubs will be eager to integrate their new arrivals quickly ahead of a packed fixture schedule.
Point of View
But his PSG record is one of a squad player, not a starter. Whether Anfield can unlock what Paris could not is the central question. City's Allan signing, quieter in fee and fanfare, fits the Maresca-era pattern of acquiring young, athletic wide players — but the Brazilian arrives largely untested at elite European level.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Liverpool pay for Bradley Barcola?
Liverpool paid an initial £106 million for Barcola, with the total fee rising to up to £123 million through performance-related add-ons. He signed a five-year contract and will wear the No.29 jersey at Anfield.
Why did Liverpool sign Barcola?
Liverpool needed attacking reinforcements after losing Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich and Mohamed Salah — who ended a nine-year stint at the club — to Trabzonspor. Barcola is expected to provide pace, width, and cover alongside Alexander Isak.
Who is Allan Elias and why did Manchester City sign him?
Allan Elias is a Brazilian winger who joined Manchester City from Palmeiras for an initial £32 million on a five-year deal. City signed him to add depth and attacking options under manager Enzo Maresca .
What did Barcola say about joining Liverpool?
Barcola described it as 'a great pride' to join Liverpool and said winning the Premier League is 'one of my biggest dreams.' He also cited his long-term commitment as a key reason for signing a five-year contract.
What was Barcola's role at PSG before joining Liverpool?
Barcola had limited playing time at PSG, where the club preferred Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia . Despite being a two-time Champions League winner with the club, he was largely used as a substitute in the finals.
