Toby Melville via Action Images via Reuters
Arsenal have made contact with Bradley Barcola's camp over hijacking Liverpool's move to sign him this summer.
The Gunners have had a big summer so far with the arrivals of Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, and Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes bolstering their title-winning squad, but Mikel Arteta is still keen to add more firepower to his side before the transfer window slams shut on September 1st.
The club had made Real Madrid sensation Vinicius Jr their top target, and he was open to a move to the Emirates Stadium, before he agreed a long-term contract extension at the Bernabeu. That has seen the club return to the transfer market to look for options to bolster their left wing in particular, and Barcola's name has once again come up.
REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Barcola has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield this summer, with GIVEMESPORT sources understanding that formal talks have begun between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for the France international.
The 24-year-old, who has been described as a 'superstar', has asked to leave the back-to-back European champions as he looks to play more regularly, having often found himself behind Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue in the pecking order in Paris.
Arsenal have had a long-standing interest in the former Lyon forward, and TEAMtalk now report that the Premier League champions have made fresh contact with the player's camp to find out the lay of the land.
PSG have put a €150m (£130m) valuation on Barcola after seeing Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson move clubs for £117m and £116m respectively in this window, but Liverpool are reluctant to pay that much.
Arsenal also don't want to go that high, but it's reported that they would be willing to pay a significant sum to bring in the right player for their attack. As things stand, Andoni Iraola's side remain in pole position for a deal to be done, but Arsenal have now entered the race to ensure they don't have a clear run at the attacker.
GIVEMESPORT sources also understand that reports that Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle with PSG are false.
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Bradley Barcola Ligue 1 and World Cup Stats
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Dribbles (per 90)
Shots (per 90)
Thierry Henry Loves Barcola
Reuters/Sam Navarro
Barcola emerged as one of France's brightest stars during the 2026 World Cup, as he helped the team reach a third consecutive semi-final and was key to Didier Deschamps' side.
But previously he has played for the Under-21's and Olympic squad, and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was his coach, singing his praises.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored - correct as of 08/08/2026.