Arsenal are among the clubs interested in Bradley Barcola and the reason they have yet to make a move for the PSG star has now been revealed
Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola has dominated the transfer window, with the Reds working to get the deal done ahead of the summer transfer deadline.
Andoni Iraola is preparing his squad for the first game of the new Premier League season, with Liverpool’s opening fixture against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on the agenda.
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Following the departure of club legend Mohamed Salah and continued links between Cody Gakpo and Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool have been active in the market, with Paris Saint-Germain forwards Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye among the two names strongly linked with moves to Anfield.
DaveOCKOP exclusively reported earlier this month that a deal had been agreed in principle, while also noting that nothing had been signed. Since that report, PSG have omitted Barcola from their recent fixtures, including their Trophée des Champions defeat to RC Lens last weekend.
That has sparked further speculation and, despite conflicting reports, Luis Enrique’s handling of Barcola since DaveOCKOP broke the news could suggest there is substance to the initial report, although confirmation of any agreement remains outstanding.
Personal terms have already been agreed between the two parties, and Barcola has made clear that Liverpool remains his preferred destination this summer.
Arsenal have also been credited with interest in Barcola throughout the summer, and their move for a left-sided forward has shaped much of the transfer talk around both clubs. Their two most prominent alternatives have now fallen away entirely.
According to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, Mikel Arteta still badly wants a left forward but there is now a mind at the club to wait rather than force a deal through.
Arsenal did not ultimately move for Morgan Rogers, who instead joined Chelsea, and have not yet moved for Barcola either.
Delaney’s report states: “Arteta does still badly want a left forward but there is a mind to wait. Arsenal didn’t ultimately move for Morgan Rogers or – as yet – Bradley Barcola because they don’t feel they were quite worth the £110m-plus prices quoted. The value is viewed as that crucial difference between a player that will bolster you and one that will really elevate you.
Arsenal’s internal analytics show that Gabriel Martinelli is as effective as many of the targets in the £80-100m bracket. They would probably move for Bournemouth’s Jan Kroupi had he not been injured, which is why waiting could make more sense. Barcola could still appeal depending on the price.”
That combination of factors is why Delaney’s report frames patience as the more sensible course for Arsenal, rather than meeting Barcola’s price out of urgency.
Barcola could still appeal to Arsenal depending on how the fee eventually settles, though Delaney’s report gives no indication that a fresh move is currently planned.
The picture has already shifted significantly since the start of the summer. Vinicius Junior, long viewed as Arteta’s primary target, signed a new six-year contract at Real Madrid earlier this month, taking him out of the market entirely.
Yan Diomande, another winger Arsenal had shown interest in, joined Real Madrid instead. Rogers signed for Chelsea rather than Arsenal, closing off a second option Arsenal had pursued at the start of the window.
For Liverpool, none of this changes the fundamental picture. Barcola remains their primary target, and the focus stays on getting the deal done with PSG before the window closes.