Updated: 8 Aug 2026 13:12 BST |
4 min read
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Arsenal and Liverpool are being strongly linked with a move for PSG winger Bradley Barcola.
The France international is looking to leave the reigning Champions League winners this summer after losing his place to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Although PSG would prefer to keep him, his refusal to sign a new deal means that they will sanction his exit – at the right price.
The Ligue 1 giants value the 23-year-old at a whopping €150 million, with some reports going so far as to suggest they initially wanted €170m for him. This has made club-to-club discussions with his prime suitors, Liverpool, difficult so far.
The Reds have made major progress on personal terms in recent weeks. Barcola has bought into Andoni Iraola’s project and is understood to be keen on the move to Anfield. However, Liverpool do not want to pay more than €120m for the winger.
Reports in France suggest that they will make a €115m offer for him, but this bid is expected to be rejected by PSG. Nevertheless, Nicolo Schira understands that Liverpool will continue to try for the Frenchman.
Arsenal in Barcola race?
Liverpool’s failure to achieve a breakthrough has engendered reports that Arsenal have re-entered the race for Barcola. The Gunners were linked with him earlier this summer but eventually pivoted to Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian has now rejected a move in favour of signing a new deal at Real Madrid, which means that Arsenal have been forced to look for alternative targets. Barcola would be an obvious Plan B.
Reports suggest that Arsenal are in contact with the entourage of Barcola. FootballTransfers can confirm that talks have taken place – but they were not initiated by the Gunners.
We understand that it was actually Barcola’s camp that reached out to Arsenal. Contact was made on Friday morning to get clarity on whether or not the Premier League champions were planning to make a move for the France international.
Sources have informed us that Arsenal made it clear to the player that they will not make a move for him at PSG’s current valuation. They have no intention of paying €150m for the 23-year-old.
Arsenal could only be tempted to change their stance if the French club’s asking price were to drop. We are told that they value Barcola at around €105m-€111m (£90m-£95m) – which is less than the €115m Liverpool are currently offering.
Barcola’s easy transfer decision
This stance appears to be a sensible one. According to data analytics firm SciSports, Liverpool would be a much better destination for Barcola than Arsenal this summer.
SciSports analyses several factors such as playing time prospects, development opportunities and playstyle to calculate a Club Fit rating. Arsenal clock in at a middling 63 out of 100, while Liverpool are his second-best option at 77, only trailing Barcelona with a score of 78.
SciSports does not believe that Barcola would be a particularly strong stylistic fit for Mikel Arteta’s system. In fact, it is suggested that the Frenchman would not even be a meaningful upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli.
It therefore makes little sense for the Gunners to break the bank on the 23-year-old.
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