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Non-negotiable: Liverpool must beat Arsenal to Bradley Barcola signing

Updated: 9 May 2026 15:07 BST | 5 min read

Bradley Barcola, Liverpool

Tom Weber

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Arsenal and Liverpool are both interested in signing PSG winger Bradley Barcola this summer.

It is generally accepted that the upcoming transfer window will be dominated by deals for high-profile midfielders. Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Ederson, Joao Gomes and Carlos Baleba could all be on the move after this season.

However, the winger market will also be intense. Several of Europe's biggest hitters are looking to sign a marquee wide player this summer, with the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern, Liverpool and Man Utd known to be keen to reinforce that department.

Three of these clubs - Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool - have taken a keen interest in Barcola, who is once again being linked with a potential departure from PSG. His future was already under the microscope last year.

The January 2025 signing of Khivcha Kvaratskhelia increased the competition for attacking spots at PSG and led to a reduction of Barcola's minutes. He hasn't been entirely happy in Paris since the Georgian's arrival, which is why he has to date not agreed to sign a new contract.

Why Liverpool need Barcola

At this stage, it is safe to assume that Barcelona can be discounted from the race for Barcola, simply due to his price. He currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €70.6 million, which the Catalans can't pay at present.

This leaves Arsenal and Liverpool as the favourites to sign him. Both will be able to offer Barcola plenty of game time. The Gunners are expected to sell one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli, while the Reds need a replacement for Mohamed Salah and an upgrade on Cody Gakpo.

Bradley Barcola

Rio Ngumoha has broken into the Liverpool first team this season, and while he certainly is a hugely exciting prospect, the teenager still lacks the physicality to be able to consistently compete at the Premier League level.

Barcola would instantly slot into the team, and the data suggests that Anfield would be a much more suitable destination for the France international than the Emirates.

Data analytics firm SciSports calculates a Club Fit rating for players by taking into account several factors such as development prospects, possible game time and playstyle. For Barcola, SciSports' Career Advice is quite clear.

Liverpool are, by quite some distance, believed to be a better option for the 23-year-old than Arsenal. The Reds' Club Fit rating of 85 out of 100 is the best of any side, followed by Man Utd with 84 and Real Madrid with 82.

Arsenal, by contrast, don't even make Barcola's top 10. They have a rating of just 72 and only get three out of a possible five stars in the playstyle category, so there would be some concerns over his suitability to Mikel Arteta's approach. Liverpool receive full marks in that department.

Barcola would be perfect for the Reds. With Salah leaving and Gakpo flattering to deceive, they need a difference-maker like the Frenchman who can create something out of nothing.

PSG will be reluctant to sell, but Liverpool must do what they can to strike a deal for the 23-year-old.