Liverpool is still looking to get a deal over the line for Bradley Barcola this summer, but there could be a twist coming for the PSG star with another club in the mix.
Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain reacts after Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich (not pictured) scored his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München
Bradley Barcola continues to be linked with a potential transfer to Liverpool this summer(Image: (Photo by Julian Finney - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
The race to sign Bradley Barcola is on, as reports now claim that Arsenal has made contact over a potential deal to sign the PSG winger this summer.
It comes as Liverpool is pushing ahead with talks for the Frenchman, having been viewed as the ideal option to bolster the forward lines before the transfer window slams shut.
The Reds have been waiting for a moment to strike, with Barcola informing PSG that he won't be renewing his contract and opening the opportunity for an exit in the summer market.
Liverpool and Arsenal were the most heavily-linked teams, but after the latter switched focus towards trying to sign Vinicius Jr, the Merseyside outfit was initially given a relatively free run at trying to sign the 23-year-old.
With Barcola open to joining the team, the main stumbling block has been the difference in valuation, with millions of dollars still standing between an agreement at this stage.
For Liverpool, it's a case of playing a patient game to try and find the right compromise with PSG, but it's one that may have to speed up otherwise it risks missing out altogether.
That's because, in a surprise twist, TeamTalk reports that Arsenal has made contact with Barcola's representatives once again as it considers options in the market following a snub from Vinicius Jr.
At this stage, it seems as though the contact is simply exploratory, with the Gunners claimed to be monitoring several players who could bolster the forward ranks.
However, it is also added that the North London club is ready to make a "significant investment" for a player they deem to be the right fit moving forward.
Bradley BARCOLA of PSG during UEFA Champions League match between Paris and Chelsea at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Liverpool is targeting a move for Bradley Barcola(Image: Getty Images)
That could, ultimately, blow Liverpool out of the water if the champions decide that Barcola is the right player and can stump up the funds that PSG is currently requesting.
That may put the Reds in a position where the patient approach simply doesn't work, but it will all depend on whether Arsenal decide on signing the France international or if it looks elsewhere in the market.
For now, though, the Merseyside outfit has the upper hand, having moved further along in discussions with both PSG and the player's camp over the possibility of joining.
It means there's little reason to panic, unless something drastically changes, while a move for Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG could further strengthen the forward lines.
It all sets up a tense final few weeks in the market, as Liverpool needs to bring in some more star power before the window slams shut until the winter market opens.