Liverpool could face fresh competition in its pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with the French side holding the belief that a Premier League rival will make a move
East Rutherford, United States - June 30: Bradley Barcola of France celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Liverpool is working on a potential deal for Bradley Barcola(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool could be facing the worst-case scenario in its pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, if the latest reports from France are anything to go by.
The Reds are actively in the market to bolster their attacking options before next month's transfer deadline, with Barcola and fellow PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye the two most concrete links at present. Liverpool's pursuit of Barcola, in particular, can be dated back to the summer of 2025 when interest was reported following the departure of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.
Therefore, it was unsurprising to see the club's hierarchy revisit that interest this summer after Mohamed Salah departed the club as a free agent. While talented prospect Victor Munoz has already joined from Osasuna this summer, Liverpool's lack of firepower and depth in forward areas has been glaringly obvious throughout preseason.
Despite the urgency Liverpool faces, negotiations with PSG for Barcola have so far been long and arduous. France's involvement in the latter stages of the World Cup delayed things initially, but currently, the gap between the French club's asking price and the price Liverpool is prepared to pay remains the key obstacle to a deal being completed.
With the transfer window entering its final weeks, Liverpool now faces not only a race against the clock, but potentially a hijacking of the deal if rival clubs sense an opportunity to swoop. That is a genuine risk, with the latest update from L'Equipe suggesting PSG expects another English club to make a move for the player before the September 1 deadline.
While there was no suggestion of who the club might be, it's no secret that current Premier League champion Arsenal has been in the market for a left winger this summer. The club actively pursued Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, but the overly ambitious move ultimately fell flat when the Brazilian committed his long-term future to his current club.
Bradley BARCOLA of PSG celebrates his goal during UEFA Champions League match between Paris and Chelsea
Bradley Barcola continues to be linked with a transfer to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images))
Gabriel Martinelli has been heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates this summer, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Arsenal step up its pursuit of a replacement should a departure come to fruition. Barcola is, arguably, the most intriguing left wing option available on the market this summer and certainly a player the Gunners are rumored to have a long-standing interest in.
The one saving grace for Liverpool at this stage is the fact the report does add that it is Barcola's preference to move to Anfield this summer. From the player's side, if he is to leave the Parc des Princes before the deadline, he only wants to join Liverpool.
Understandably, that will be music to Liverpool fans' ears as it likely gives the club some breathing space to negotiate PSG's staggering £145 million ($196 million) asking price down to a figure it deems reasonable.
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Still, Liverpool would be wise to make sure things don't get to a point where Barcola's stance is tested in any way, shape or form.
While Arsenal may not succeed in its pursuit, if it did indeed attempt an audacious hijack, it could still drive up the price for Liverpool anyway. Liverpool itself did something similar when it attempted to leapfrog Chelsea in the hunt for midfielder Moises Caicedo a few years ago.
Liverpool agreed a fee with Brighton for the Ecuadorian, whom Chelsea had been negotiating for all summer. While Caicedo honored his word to join Chelsea and insisted the club was given the opportunity to match the figure Liverpool had agreed, the London club was ultimately forced to agree what was then a British-record fee of £115 million ($156 million) to land its target.