Image Credits: Imago Images
The Bradley Barcola transfer saga has been one of the most talked-about storylines of this summer window, with conflicting reports making it increasingly difficult to get a clear picture on what will actually happen with the PSG winger.
Liverpool’s interest in Barcola has been well-documented, stretching as far back as last summer.
The Reds’ pursuit intensified once it became clear that Yan Diomande preferred a move to Paris Saint-Germain, with many believing a domino effect could follow – Diomande to PSG, and Barcola heading to Anfield in the opposite direction.
However, the road to a deal has been far from straightforward. PSG have made their position abundantly clear — Barcola is not for sale.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein added further complications to Liverpool’s pursuit when he reported that PSG do not “need” to sell the Frenchman, and that any potential fee would sit well above the £116m Manchester City paid for Elliot Anderson.
That figure alone puts serious question marks over whether Liverpool could even make a deal work financially.
Adding another layer of intrigue to an already messy situation is Arsenal’s reported interest.
Now Fabrizio Romano has reported his latest on the matter, saying on his YouTube channel:
“Liverpool have Barcola on top of their list – he’s always on their list.”
“I told you for months, ‘Don’t forget Barcola!’ and now here we are with Barcola as a serious target for Liverpool.”
“But, obviously, it depends financially on what Liverpool can do to reach an agreement with PSG.”
The Italian added that Arsenal are currently not focused on Barcola and instead want Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and their first-choice target:
“For Arsenal, the number one target remains Morgan Rogers.”
“If they can reach an agreement with Aston Villa, they will sign Morgan Rogers. If they can’t, Barcola could be an option,” Romano explained.
“But at the moment, I feel Morgan Rogers is the most serious candidate to become the new winger for Mikel Arteta.”
Barcola himself has done little to quiet the speculation, telling RMC Sport: “I am focused on the World Cup, what will happen after that, I don’t know”.
It’s hardly a ringing endorsement of his PSG future.