Previously, PSG superstar Bradley Barcola appeared to be locked in at the Parc de Princes. Tied down to the club under a lucrative contract, it seemed he would not be going anywhere – nevertheless, this may now no longer be the case.
Recently, according to a report from French outlet L’Equipe, Barcola is ‘unlikely’ to be handed a new deal at this time. As such, with just two years remaining in his current contract, this would open the door for potential suitors to make a move.
Amongst them are Arsenal and Liverpool, who have both been linked with a move for the player in the last few months. Additionally, Barcelona are also thought to be in the race [via Mundo Deportivo], while Real Madrid were also linked with him the previous summer [via Fichajes].
Barcola was largely eclipsed by the performances of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia last season for the Parisian giants. With the Georgian international largey preferred on the left wing at the expense of Barcola, this could see him leave the club in pursuit of more first team opportunities.
Bradley Barcola 2025/26 Ligue 1 stats
Games Goals Assists Yellow Cards Red Cards
Bradley Barcola 29 11 2 2 0
While Kvaratskhelia is generally seen as PSG’s main man on the left, Barcola actually notched up more goal contributions than he did last season in Ligue 1. Kvaraskhelia scored eight goals and racked up four assists, while Barcola scored 11 and registered two assists.
This doesn’t tell the whole story, though. Kvaratskhelia’s Champions League tally blows Barcola’s completely out of the water – he notched up a gargantuan 17 goal contributions in Europe’s top competition last season, while Barcola could only muster six.
Nevertheless, Barcola would still have a massive part to play for both Arsenal and Liverpool were he to be snapped up by either of them. He will be part of France’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, alongside superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and fellow PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele.
Would Arsenal or Liverpool benefit more from signing Bradley Barcola?
A technically sound winger with electric pace and fantastic movement off the ball, Barcola is a footballer practically tailor-made for the Premier League. Both Mikel Arteta and Andoni Iraola tend to favour fast wingers who can punish teams on the break – in this sense, he would be a brilliant acquistion for both teams.
Arsenal, at this point in time, need to sign a right winger before the season begins. With Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard potentially leaving the club over the course of the summer transfer window, they are relatively scant for options out on the left.
Furthermore, Arteta likes to sign players who can occupy multiple roles – Barcola is comfortable operating on the right and as an out-and-out striker if need be.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are not quite so desperate. They already have Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha who can play on the left – Ngumoha, in particular, is expected to be a star player for the Reds in the coming years.
As such, currently, Barcola would probably be best served by a move to Arsenal at the moment. He would certainly be Liverpool’s star winger if he opts to make the jump to Anfield, but they needn’t force out players currently at the club.