Bradley Barcola is a leading target for Liverpool as they look to add a proven winger to their squad - but Arsenal have also been linked with the PSG star
Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola is reported to be a transfer target for Arsenal(Image: (Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images))
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Former Arsenal forward Perry Groves has been told Bradley Barcola 'wants to live in London'. The France international is a leading target for Liverpool as they look to add a proven winger to Andoni Iraola’s squad before the new season.
However, the Gunners have also been credited with an interest in Barcola, who is believed to have made it clear to Paris Saint-Germain chiefs that he has no intention of signing a new deal. The Ligue 1 club are believed to have placed a value of around £145m on the 23-year-old, which would represent a British record sum.
But after receiving encouragement that Barcola would be interested in moving to Anfield, Liverpool hope to strike a deal for a base figure of about £100m, with the potential for add-ons.
But Groves, speaking on talkSPORT, believes his old club boasts an advantage over Liverpool in the race to sign Barcola.
He said: "I've got a source that says he wants to live in London. I can't tell you [who], I can't divulge my sources. I've got a source. I've got a mole. Barcola wants to live in London."
Before Groves, who won two league titles with Arsenal, added: "I've got no dog in the fight, but I would say the Gooners because Liverpool are a team that are in transition.
"Andoni Iraola going in there, imposing his own philosophy, his own style with all the new signings coming in. If you were Barcola and you thought, what out of those two sides have got the most chance of winning the Premier League or Champions League, at the moment you'd say it was Arsenal.
Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool during the during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco
Andoni Iraola during Liverpool's pre-season friendly match against AS Monaco(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
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"So it's whether Arsenal want to go in, if they go in for him, then there would have been advances being made to his people. Because they don't want to be seen losing out on Vinicius Junior being played like a little kitten with a ball of wool, but Arsenal have to be in for those sorts of players. That's the level Arsenal are at now."
Mikel Arteta revealed on Sunday that Arsenal are working to bring in more new signings, having already spent £109m this summer. He said: "That's what we're trying to do. It has to be the right player in the market to make us much better. We are very much looking forward to that.”
Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday before kicking off their Premier League campaing against Coventry City on Friday, August 21 at the Emirates.
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