Bradley Barcola to Arsenal: Arsenal may have to accept that Vinicius Junior is staying exactly where he is. Paul Merson certainly thinks so. Writing in his latest Sky Sports column, as reported by Metro, the former Gunners midfielder claimed the Brazilian has little intention of leaving Real Madrid and has instead used Premier League interest to strengthen his position during contract negotiations at the Santiago Bernabéu.
That assessment has changed the conversation around Arsenal‘s transfer plans. Leandro Trossard has already completed his move to Besiktas, leaving Mikel Arteta with fewer proven options on the left wing, and Merson questioned the wisdom of allowing the Belgian to leave before securing a replacement.
He argued Arsenal should stop chasing Vinicius and turn their full attention to Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, even though the French champions continue to demand around £145 million. That valuation remains a major obstacle, yet reports indicate PSG have no intention of lowering their asking price. Liverpool are also linked with a move.
Should Bradley Barcola to Arsenal become the priority?
Arsenal shouldn’t settle for a cheaper signing simply because Vinicius appears unavailable. If Arteta wants another genuine match-winner, Barcola stands out as one of the few players capable of producing a similar impact. He attacks defenders without hesitation, drives into dangerous spaces and stays composed inside crowded penalty areas. Those qualities often disappeared from Arsenal’s left side whenever opponents defended with numbers.
The statistics strengthen that case. Barcola scored 11 Ligue 1 goals in the 2025/26 season across 29 appearances despite starting only 21 league matches, making him PSG’s leading scorer in the competition. His progressive carries and successful take-ons ranked among the league’s strongest attacking numbers, reflecting exactly why Europe’s biggest clubs continue to monitor his situation.
Why Bradley Barcola to Arsenal makes football sense
The transfer fee is enormous. Nobody disputes that. Even so, Arsenal reached a stage where bargains no longer transform the starting eleven. Elite players do.
Barcola would immediately stretch defensive lines, forcing full-backs into uncomfortable one-against-one situations while creating larger pockets for Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz to exploit through the middle. Gabriel Martinelli could rotate instead of carrying the burden every week, which would improve Arsenal’s depth across four competitions.
Read: Man City set to hijack Arsenal’s £77m transfer move for teenage sensation
Scorzo’s opinion on Bradley Barcola to Arsenal
Scorzo believes Arsenal should push hard for Barcola instead of searching for cheaper alternatives. A £145 million deal carries obvious financial risk, yet opportunities to sign a 23-year-old Champions League winner with elite pace, technical quality and genuine match-winning ability rarely arrive. If Vinicius is off the market, Barcola looks like the closest available answer, and passing on that opportunity would feel like a far bigger gamble than paying the asking price.