Bradley Barcola has been warned about "wasting his career" at Arsenal with the Gunners tipped to join Liverpool in the transfer race for the PSG and France winger
France forward Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring against Sweden.
France forward Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring against Sweden.(Image: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool man Neil Ruddock says Bradley Barcola would love playing at Anfield amid speculation that Arsenal could join the race for the PSG man.
Having missed out on Vinicius Jr, and with Liverpool yet to agree a price with PSG for Barcola, Mikel Arteta's men have been put forward as a possible alternative destination in some quarters.
There is no real suggestion of a hijack, though, with Liverpool still in negotiations for a player who will cost considerably more than $100M to prise away, even with Barcola only having two years left on his contract at the Parc des Princes.
"With Arsenal coming off a league title, their pulling power is huge right now," Ruddock said.
"A year ago, Liverpool would have been the clear first choice, but winning the league puts Arsenal ahead in the queue.
"Liverpool is the greatest and most famous football institution in the world. Walking out at a packed Anfield every single week is the ultimate experience in football.
"Get yourself to Liverpool and be adored by the Kop — don't waste your career going down to Arsenal!
Bradley Barcola during the World Cup.
Bradley Barcola during the World Cup.(Image: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
"I was fortunate enough to play in front of a full Anfield — there is no finer arena in world football. If you ask nine out of 10 professional footballers, their favorite away ground is Anfield. Playing there week in, week out is special."
If Barcola does arrive, that could potentially pave the way for Cody Gakpo to leave. Tottenham remains keen on the forward, even though losing him without having a replacement through the door is unthinkable.
"Given Spurs' current trajectory, he fits their profile," Ruddock, speaking to iGaming, added. "Both Liverpool and Tottenham are flair teams that value technical ball-players, so stylistically it would be an easy transition.
"That said, it surprises me because I thought he suited Liverpool well — hardworking, disciplined, and effective.
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"Living in Kent, I only get to Anfield twice a season now, but I've always rated him. If he actually leaves, it’ll be a real shock to me, though he would slot into Spurs' system easily.
"If James Maddison drops back to the number 10 role and links up with him, it could mirror that Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli partnership from years ago.
"Dele flourished because Eriksen was constantly feeding him assists. But Spurs genuinely need a natural number nine, so while it would surprise me, Tottenham keep buying versatile attackers who aren't traditional center forwards."