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Arsenal urged to hijack Liverpool’s move for Bradley Barcola as they close in on £80m transfer

Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola has emerged as Liverpool's top summer transfer target as they look to replace Mohamed Salah

Bradley Barcola in action for France during the World Cup.

Bradley Barcola in action for France during the World Cup.(Image: Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Arsenal have been urged to hijack Liverpool’s move for Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola. The France international is a leading target for the Reds as they look to add a proven winger to Andoni Iraola’s squad before the new season.

However, PSG have placed a value of around £145m on the 23-year-old. But after receiving encouragement that Barcola would be interested in moving to Anfield, Liverpool hope to strike a deal for the Olympique Lyonnais star.

But as the Gunners close in on signing Bruno Guimaraes for £80m from Newcastle United, former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has urged his old club to also hijack Liverpool’s attempt to land Barcola.

“Mikel [Arteta] and the boys have finally got it over the line, which I’m very happy about," Frimpong told Ladbrokes. "But they shouldn’t just win it once and be satisfied with that.

“They have to keep on winning it now and dominate just like how Man United and Man City have in the past.

“We’ve got the players, we’ve got a deep squad and hopefully this summer, the board are going to strengthen further, because I still think we need a couple of wingers and a proper number eight.

“I feel like Declan Rice is playing in a position which isn’t natural to him, so we need a proper number eight alongside him.

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Declan Rice in action for Arsenal against Liverpool at Anfield(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

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“For me, when it comes to realistic signings this summer, with those positions in mind, I feel like Bruno Guimaraes is someone I’d love to see at Arsenal.

“And also Bradley Barcola… I think he would be very good for Arsenal. Barcola and Bruno Guimaeres would be a very good transfer window for Arsenal.”

But as Liverpool continue to work on a deal for Barcola, former Reds Champions League winner Vladimir Smicer believes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the man his old club should be targeting this summer.

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“I think we need somebody special,” he said, via Casinostugan. “I don't know who's really available or the prices. I love Kvaratskhelia from PSG,he would be the dream.

“But why would any important player leave PSG when they want to win the Champions League? We need to stay realistic.

“I like Rafael Leao from AC Milan. He was on the bench this season and was not playing regularly. I can see something in him, but I don't know his character or why he's sitting on the bench. There must be a reason.

“The scouts will have info from the club. I just hope Liverpool will make the right decision and choose the right players.”

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