Arsenal set for ambitious PSG raid with teenager Bradley Barcola on their summer shopping list. The Gunners, working under Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea, are still looking at young, versatile attackers – and Barcola fits the profile perfectly.
Arsenal’s Ambition and Bradley Barcola’s Profile
Arsenal’s Pursuit Of Bradley Barcola Represents A Future Investment In Youth, Tactics, And World-Class Potential. The 22-year-old French winger has caught the eye of a number of European clubs after an impressive 2024-25 campaign with PSG. Arsenal, along with Chelsea and Bayern Munich, reportedly showed interest in the player, but PSG mostly dismissed those advances.
Sources close to the Emirates suggest the Gunners have been keeping tabs on Barcola since he made a breakthrough at Lyon and had a big impact in the 2022–23 Ligue 1 season. Currently at PSG, Barcola brings with him the combination of pace, creativity and a good work rate — traits Mikel Arteta adores in his wide forwards.
🚨 Arsenal have expressed an interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich. Liverpool are admirers too.
(Source: L'Equipe) pic.twitter.com/fR9TnxTYAB
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 24, 2025
With that Champions League football back in the bag, Arsenal’s squad depth is going to be key. Barcola’s versatility to play on both flanks could be crucial in giving Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli a breather. He is more than just a bench option in the midfield, but also considered someone who might challenge for a starting spot eventually. His style — straight, smooth and technical — reflects Arsenal’s attacking ethos, making him a strong tactical fit.
Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea reportedly admires Barcola’s profile. Recruitment this summer is about strengthening the right areas to ensure the club retains a youthful identity. The Gunners have already looked at alternatives for the wide positions including Nico Williams and Pedro Neto, but Barcola’s potential and recent showings could slider him to the top of the list.
PSG’s Position and the Transfer Equation
Barcola’s numbers in 2024–25 were quite gaudy. He completed 34 league outings with 14 goals and 10 assists in all competitions and played a part in PSG’s magnificent continental treble, winning Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League. This output has pushed his valuation higher, and PSG now reportedly demand a fee of around €70 million.
While PSG consider Barcola a sound investment for the future, they must also concern themselves with the Financial Fair Play rules, and it could force their hand. The French club have reportedly shown openness to offers if suitors meet their demands, and Arsenal might explore structuring a deal with performance-based add-ons and a future sell-on clause to help reduce the overall fee.
Bradley Barcola is contracted to PSG until June 2028, so the Parisians are in the driving seat in negotiations. But the player’s camp are said to be willing to listen to offers — especially if that gives him a clearer shot at regular first-team football.
🚨❤️💙 Paris Saint-Germain have no plans to let Bradley Barcola leave this summer.
The management and Luis Enrique all plan with Barcola as part of the squad for next season. pic.twitter.com/2ZO3Wsdn1J
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 23, 2025
There is currently no formal bid on the table, but Arsenal’s interest is said to be “genuine and continuing.” Whether they push on with a deal or not will depend on what happens with other targets and if PSG shift in their stance.
Author’s Opinion
Signing Bradley Barcola would be risky, but a smart signing for Arsenal. He’s young, has proved himself at the highest level and fits stylistically into the tactical model of Arteta. Fourteen goals, 10 assists and a burgeoning European presence suggest Barcola is clearly more than just potential—he’s production-ready.
But splashing out €70m+ for a winger who might not start immediately is a risk, especially given that Arsenal’s also in need of a striker. But if Andrea and Arteta see Barcola as a future star, then there is little time like the present to invest.
Smart structure, clear role and the right coaching, and Barcola could be one of the smartest under-the-radar signings.
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