Luis Enrique says Bradley Barcola’s Liverpool move benefits everyone

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique says Bradley Barcola’s £108m move to Liverpool was the right outcome for both the player and the European champions, despite the France winger leaving after two influential seasons.

Liverpool will pay an initial 125m euros for the 24-year-old, with a further 20m euros potentially payable in bonuses. Barcola had two years remaining on his contract at PSG but wanted a more prominent role, something Luis Enrique could not guarantee.

“Everyone is a winner,” Luis Enrique said ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 meeting with Monaco on Friday.

“He wanted to leave because he wanted to have more importance in the team. And that is something that you have to earn in training. I can’t guarantee that to any player.”

Barcola made 49 appearances in all competitions last season and scored 13 goals as PSG retained their Ligue 1 title and won the Champions League. However, his place in Luis Enrique’s preferred starting line-up was not assured, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also competing for a position on the wing.

The PSG manager said Barcola remained highly regarded within the squad, even though the player ultimately decided to pursue a new challenge at Liverpool.

“He has been a very important player for us, and he is an incredible person,” Luis Enrique said. “He was liked by his teammates. He still had two years left on his contract, but he decided to leave, and I wish him all the best. We have to accept it.”

PSG have responded to Barcola’s departure by making three attacking additions during the transfer window. Ferran Torres has arrived from Barcelona, while Maghnes Akliouche has joined from Monaco and Mika Godts has moved from Ajax.

The combined cost of those three forwards is about 150m euros.

“I am happy with the three players we have brought in up front,” Luis Enrique said. “We must not make comparisons. We will see what happens, but I am happy with the transfer window.”

The new arrivals will need time to adapt to Luis Enrique’s system, particularly as PSG have yet to record their first Ligue 1 victory this season. They began their title defence with draws against Rennes and Lille.

Their domestic start follows a defeat by Lens in the French Champions Trophy. PSG had previously beaten Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup.

Luis Enrique is nevertheless already looking beyond PSG’s inconsistent opening results and towards the club’s principal objective: retaining the Champions League. Their title defence begins next Wednesday against Slovan Bratislava.

The Spanish manager said success in Europe remained the priority for a squad that won the competition last season.

“Our objectives are clear,” he said. “I have said it many times. I want to win the most important trophies, and there is none bigger than the Champions League.”