Bradley Barcola transfer news: Latest reports as Liverpool, Arsenal both explore move for PSG winger image
As the 2026-27 season approaches, Premier League clubs at the top of the English table are looking to shore up their biggest holes before the campaign commences.
Defending league champions Arsenal, who fell to PSG in the Champions League final as well, are on the hunt for a left winger, as are Liverpool, who begin this season under new management.
One player who has drawn significant transfer interest is France international Bradley Barcola, who has fallen behind Désiré Doué in the PSG pecking order and is looking for a move elsewhere. That has both aforementioned Premier League giants interested, given their need on the wing.
The Sporting News brings you the latest on such a deal, as well as more about the insane transfer fee he could command, plus an overview of whether he's worth the eye-popping cost.
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Bradley Barcola transfer latest news, reports
For now, Bradley Barcola remains a PSG player, included in the squad for the UEFA Super Cup on August 12.
However, he's being openly courted by Liverpool, and Arsenal have also begun to poke around as well.
According to a report from ESPN on August 11, Barcola is "top of Liverpool's wishlist" as they look for another wide forward in support of the rest of their forward unit. However, the club has disputed reports that they have lodged an official bid.
In fact, other reports in England have said Liverpool have struggled to close the gap in negotiations with PSG, and they have reportedly mulled walking away from talks. That could open the door for Arsenal who missed out on Vinicius Jr. but are still looking to fill a gap at left winger. So far, the Gunners have only peripherally been linked to a Barcola move by the English tabloids, but there are some whispers that Arsenal could be poised to enter the race if Liverpool falter.
How much would Bradley Barcola transfer cost?
Reports claim that PSG are asking as much as €170 million (£145m/$195.7m) for Barcola, even given the fact he has two years left on his contract in the French capital, which runs through the summer of 2028.
That would be well above the Premier League transfer record set by Liverpool when they acquired Alexander Isak last summer, which cost the Reds around £125 million.
Not everyone believes it will cost that much, however, as ESPN claim the valuation is set more in the €150 million (£128.2m/$173.1m) range.
Multiple reports in early August claimed that Liverpool had lodged an opening bid for Barcola in the range of €115 million ($133m/£99m), and even though the club denied those reports, it still shows a significant gap in current negotiations.
This feels like a transfer which could come down to the wire on Deadline Day, as PSG hold out for as much money as they can despite lacking leverage given the two years left on Barcola's deal and his reported desire to leave the club.
How good is Bradley Barcola?
There is no question that Bradley Barcola is an exceptional player, but should he go for such an outrageous transfer price?
The 23-year-old is still yet to reach his athletic peak, meaning there is belief he has room to grow, but right now it's clear he is not a finished product.
Right now, Barcola can dazzle with the ball at his feet, but he has not produced the statistical profile to prove he can be at his best consistently. He completed just 1.2 take-ons per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 play last season, at a success rate of just 41 percent. He won just 43 percent of his total duels and generated 2.3 total shots per 90 minutes.
Most glaringly, Barcola's finishing needs work, having missed 10 big chances in Champions League play last season, third in the competition behind only Viktor Gyokeres and Vinicius Jr., despite having significantly fewer total shots than those other two individuals.
Premier League clubs should proceed with extreme caution given these holes in his otherwise exceptional game, especially at such a record-breaking price point.