**Liverpool need to wrap a deal to sign Bradley Barcola up before Arsenal swoop in and hijack the move, with reports suggesting the Londoners are targeting him after missing out on Vinicius Jr.**
While reports have assured Liverpool fans that Barcola wants to join Liverpool, things can change very quickly.
The Reds may be doing their all to sign him, with the sticking point being PSG’s massive £145m asking price, but there is now a great risk of him being poached before a deal can be arranged.
Liverpool need to be wary of Arsenal hijack of Bradley Barcola after Vini Jr upset
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[The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news-live-arsenal-vinicius-liverpool-man-utd-rodri-b3029719.html) reports that Arsenal are seeking alternatives after failing to sign Vinicius Jr, with the Brazilian opting to renew his Real Madrid contract over a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Miguel Delaney reports: _“Arsenal have moved on from their chase of Vinicius Jr after he signed a contract extension with Real Madrid and the Gunners have now reignited their interest in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez while PSG’s Bradley Barcola is also on their list._
_“Bruno Guimaraes has finally officially completed his £75m move from Newcastle United._
_“Liverpool, meanwhile, also want to sign Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain and have lined up his teammate Ibrahim Mbaye in what could be a double swoop for Andoni Iraola’s side._
_“The European champions may be willing to let them go, especially following Maghnes Akliouche signing from Monaco, while the Reds also look to have secured much-needed defender help with ex-Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo set for a loan deal, with an option to buy, at Anfield.”_
[TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/liverpool-transfer-news-bradley-barcola-lead-race-psg-arsenal-make-contact-sources) adds fuel to the fire with their latest claim that Arsenal have made contact with Barcola’s camp.
Liverpool’s drawn-out pursuit of Barcola could be at risk if it takes any longer
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Liverpool have been in direct contact with Barcola’s agents and PSG for weeks now, but the longer the pursuit takes, the greater the risk, as Arsenal’s interest highlights.
The Gunners are operating from a position of greater leverage given their status as Premier League champions and Champions League finalists.
Barcola knows this full well, given he helped PSG beat Arsenal in the final last season, so the hope is that Liverpool will act with more haste in their bid to sign the French winger.
He is crucial to Liverpool’s summer transfer plans as they seek a talismanic forward to help replace the star quality Mohamed Salah took with him to Turkey, with his free-agent move to Trabzonspor now complete.