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Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola.
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The 23-year-old winger is expected to wear the No. 29 shirt if he completes his move to Anfield.
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Barcola’s choice of No. 29 dates back to his childhood and the FIFA video game series.
August 28, (THEWILL) — Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the transfer of Bradley Barcola, with the French winger expected to take the No. 29 shirt if he completes his move to Anfield.
The proposed deal is reportedly worth around £120 million, which would make Barcola one of the most expensive players in Liverpool’s history.
The 23-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards after developing into an important player for PSG.
However, while attention has largely focused on the size of the transfer and what Barcola could bring to Liverpool’s attack, his potential shirt number has also attracted interest.
Barcola is expected to continue wearing the No. 29 at Liverpool, a number that has carried special significance for him since childhood.
Why Barcola wears No. 29
The French international previously explained that his connection with the number began while playing FIFA as a youngster.
In an interview with French publication Club Legacyz, Barcola revealed that he became attached to No. 29 through Alex Hunter, the fictional footballer at the centre of FIFA’s ‘The Journey’ story mode.
According to Barcola, Hunter’s use of the number made it symbolic for him and inspired a promise he made to himself.
“When I was younger, I used to play FIFA”, Barcola explained.
“In the story mode with Alex Hunter, this number became symbolic for me. I thought to myself: ‘The day I go pro, it’ll be number 29.'”
After turning professional, Barcola kept that promise and adopted the number.
“And here I am, I adopted it, and now I’ll never let it go”, he added.
If the Liverpool transfer is completed, Barcola would therefore be taking a number with a personal connection rather than simply selecting one of the more prominent shirts available at the club.
Barcola could take vacant Liverpool number
The No. 29 shirt has been vacant at Liverpool since Arthur Melo wore it during the 2022/23 season.
Other numbers are also available, including the No. 11 shirt following Mohamed Salah’s departure.
Barcola’s decision to retain No. 29 would allow him to continue with the number that has become closely associated with his career.
The winger has worn the shirt at PSG and previously at Lyon, where he began establishing himself before earning his move to the French champions.
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Liverpool move comes after impressive PSG spell
Barcola scored 14 goals in all competitions for PSG last season and has continued to attract attention with his pace, movement and ability to operate from wide positions.
His potential arrival would give Liverpool another attacking option as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has confirmed that the club are looking to add players in the wide areas but has remained cautious when asked about Barcola specifically.
“We are trying to sign in that position. We can’t talk about players who right now aren’t ours,” Iraola said.
“But we are trying to improve and fill that position as we don’t have the numbers.”
Iraola also admitted that the uncertainty surrounding transfer negotiations can be difficult, with the transfer deadline approaching.
“I have to be patient as well as you,” he said. “It’s very uncomfortable for me as you are dealing with uncertainties all the time.”
He added that the club would have a clearer idea of their squad once the window closes and they can begin making firm plans.
If the reported agreement with PSG is completed, Barcola will arrive at Liverpool with significant expectations attached to his price tag.
But alongside the transfer fee and his performances on the pitch, supporters could soon see another familiar feature when the Frenchman walks out at Anfield: the No. 29 shirt that has followed him from a childhood FIFA game to the biggest stage of his professional career.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
