Why Liverpool can't make any new signings after Bradley Barcola deal announcement

Liverpool have finally announced the signing of former Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, but it's not all good news.

The biggest transfer saga of the 2026/27 summer window is finally over as Liverpool have officially confirmed the signing of top target Barcola.

Barcola joins from French champions PSG for a fee worth up to £123million, with Liverpool paying an initial £106m plus £17m in potential add-ons.

The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Reds, keeping him at Anfield until 2031, and arrives as the fifth signing to be confirmed this summer, following new forward Victor Munoz and defenders Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

Liverpool fans will no doubt be excited to have the deal finally over the line but, as it stands, Barcola will be the last signing this summer due to a restriction in the official Premier League rules.

Premier League clubs can register up to 25 senior players for the 2026/26 season, but the rules state that only 17 can be non-homegrown.

A homegrown player is who was registered with an English or Welsh club for at least three complete seasons before turning 21, with where the player was developed, not their nationality, the key detail alongside the fact that eligible Under-21 players sit outside this limit.

Following the arrival of Barcola, Liverpool have now met this 17-player limit, meaning that it is now effectively one in, one out should Liverpool plan to make any more non-homegrown signings this summer.

However, it remains possible that players like Ismalia Sarr, Yankuba Minteh, or another exciting Premier League winger linked with Anfield, could still arrive before the deadline should Cody Gakpo leave.

As it stands, it is looking increasingly likely that the Dutchman, who has scored a goal and assisted another across Liverpool's opening matches, will join City, who have opened talks with their rivals about a deal worth around £85m.

Likewise, if Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has been linked with Nottingham Forest, were to leave before the window shuts, Liverpool could sign another non-homegrown player.

READ MORE: Liverpool agree two transfers in space of an hour as stunning double deal emerges

Who are Liverpool's 17 non-homegrown players?

Goalkeepers

1. Alisson Becker
2. Giorgi Mamardashvili

Defenders

1. Virgil van Dijk
2. Ronald Araújo
3. Kostas Tsimikas
4. Milos Kerkez

Midfielders

1. Dominik Szoboszlai
2. Florian Wirtz
3. Ryan Gravenberch
4. Alexis Mac Allister
5. Wataru Endo

Forwards

1. Alexander Isak
2. Hugo Ekitike
3. Cody Gakpo
4. Victor Muñoz
5. Federico Chiesa
6. Bradley Barcola

Luckily for Liverpool, Jeremie Frimpong counts as homegrown because of his time at Manchester City, whole youngsters like Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are exempt from the Premier League’s senior list.

Bradley Barcola first words as a Liverpool player

Of course, hitting the non-homegrown limit should not take away from the excitement among Liverpool fans for finally signing Barcola.

And in his first interview as a Liverpool player, the highly-rated winger made it clear he's just as excited to have finally got the deal over the line.

"It's a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool. I'm very happy," Barcola told Liverpool's club media.

"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."

Barcola could make his Liverpool debut as soon as Friday night (September 4) as Andoni Iraola's side travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.