Arsenal are showing an interest in the winger in the summer transfer window, but face competition from Liverpool.
09:26, 08 Jul 2026
Bradley Barcola during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden.
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Arsenal are showing a transfer interest in PSG's Bradley Barcola this summer. (Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Arsenal transfer target Bradley Barcola has been told to snub a move to the Emirates Stadium and instead remain with Paris Saint-Germain this summer. The Gunners have been keeping a close eye on the winger during the World Cup, where he is representing France.
The 23-year-old has scored twice and provided an assist in his five appearances in the competition so far. He will next be in action when France take on Morocco in the quarter-final on Thursday night (9pm kick-off).
Arsenal are not alone in showing an interest in Barcola, with Liverpool also keeping an eye on the player. It has, however, been suggested that the winger would prefer a move to the Gunners over Liverpool.
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Despite his impact for France this summer, Barcola was in and out of the PSG starting line-up last season. The French giants look set to complete the signing of Yan Diomande, which will provide even more competition in the position.
It has led to talk that an exit from PSG could be the best option for Barcola. But former French international Marcel Desailly disagrees.
Speaking to Sportcasting, Desailly sent a clear transfer instruction to the winger. “Barcola doesn’t need to leave PSG,” he said.
“He's too young. He’s only 23-years-old. Didier Deschamps is teaching him a lesson and he's giving him a chance.
"I never expected Didier to swap him with Desire Doue. He has really given him a chance – and he’s been rewarded for it. I thought that for Barcola to start and play 90 minutes at the international level, he wouldn’t do it because Barcola is too light on defensive discipline.
Bradley Barcola celebrates his goal with Kylian Mbappe during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between France and Sweden.
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Bradley Barcola is currently on international duty with France at the World Cup. (Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
"Remember, we play with four offensive players, and bringing Barcola into the system could have been another weakness because he doesn't make the effort to defend. When you look at his previous matches with PSG, or even some of the matches he did for the national team during the Euros, he had that weakness.
"He's young; the attention and defensive alertness isn't there to match the speed he projects when he’s going forward. He wasn't making the effort to get back into position.
"So he's growing, he's learning, and he's getting that winning mentality on both sides of the game – being available for the team structurally without the ball while also being the one who makes the difference, just as the older players are doing.
"So, should he move to the Premier League? Not yet. Not yet at all. Sorry Arsenal and Liverpool fans. He should stay at Paris Saint-Germain, play 25 games a season, and grow within that system."
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Last season saw Barcola play 49 games in all competitions, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. It was reported earlier this month that the winger has told PSG of his desire to leave the club, which would provide a big boost to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta is keen to add to his attacking options this summer, as the club looks to defend their Premier League title and go one better in the Champions League. Barcola was a second-half substitute for PSG as they beat Arsenal on penalties in the final of the competition.
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