Liverpool wants to sign France star Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, with Arsenal also in the market for a left winger amid interest in the Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has expressed his concerns
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has expressed his concerns(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Paul Merson fears that Arsenal is being "played" by Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, with the ex-Gunners ace wanting to see Mikel Arteta challenge Liverpool for the signing of Bradley Barcola.
Arsenal, it emerged last week, is exploring a move to sign Vinicius, who only has one year left on his Real Madrid contract. Liverpool, meanwhile, is hoping to press ahead with a move for PSG's Barcola in the coming days.
Both players are thought to be receptive to the idea of joining the Premier League, but neither will come cheap. And Merson is concerned that Vinicius has an ulterior motive.
"Vinicius is just looking for a new contract at Real Madrid. He’s playing Arsenal," Merson said on Sky Sports. "But this is where Arsenal are now. This is the market they’re in.
"Arsenal are looking to buy someone from Real Madrid, one of the top players. It just shows you where Arsenal are in the market. It’s a big worry for all the other teams in the league, in my opinion.
"If Arsenal don’t get Vinicius, then they have to get Bradley Barcola. They have to get a left winger in, especially now Leandro Trossard has left.
France forward Bradley Barcola during the World Cup game against England
France forward Bradley Barcola during the World Cup game against England(Image: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"They left themselves very short in that position. And if Arsenal don’t get Vinicius or Barcola, then it’s a major worry.
"For them to let Trossard go is not good business in my opinion — not for what you’re selling.
"He went for literally nothing. I can’t believe that half the Premier League weren’t after Trossard. He played in all the big games for Arsenal last season and he’s a brilliant footballer.
"There are a lot of good players but not a lot of good footballers out there. He came under that second category."
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Arsenal was linked with a move for Barcola earlier in the summer and is looking to upgrade its options on the left wing, having won the title last season.
Bayern Munich was also interested to some extent, but the German side's sporting director, Max Eberl, has indicated that the club will not be making any more signings this summer.
Liverpool.com says: It is not inconceivable that Vinicius would be open to joining Arsenal. With a year left on his contract and Jose Mourinho now in charge of the Bernabeu side again, he could be looking to move on.
Losing Trossard and replacing him with Christos Tzolis seems like a logical move, but someone like Vinicius or Barcola would be a game-changer for Arsenal. That is why Liverpool is so keen on the latter.