Arsenal’s search for a new left winger could take them into direct competition with Liverpool for Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, with the French club’s £130 million valuation threatening to derail the Reds’ pursuit.
The Gunners had been preparing for an ambitious attempt to sign Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid, but those plans collapsed after the Brazil international committed his future to the Spanish giants on a new six-year contract.
That decision has forced Arsenal to reassess their attacking options, with Barcola emerging as one of the players under serious consideration.
According to reports cited by The Independent, Barcola is viewed as an “attractive option” for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen the left side of his attack.
The 23-year-old possesses the pace, directness and ability to operate in one-on-one situations that Arsenal have increasingly sought from their wide players. His profile also fits the club’s preference for recruiting high-level players who can develop further over several seasons.
However, Arsenal would not be entering the race from a position of strength.
Liverpool have already spent weeks working on a possible deal and are understood to have progressed further in discussions over the player’s personal terms.
Liverpool’s interest in Barcola is closely linked to the need to reshape their attack following Mohamed Salah’s departure.
The Reds have identified the PSG winger as one of the players capable of bringing explosiveness and creativity to their forward line, but the asking price could prove decisive.
PSG are reportedly demanding around £130 million for Barcola, a valuation that has created a significant obstacle for Liverpool.
French broadcaster Canal Plus has reported that Liverpool have indicated they do not currently have the financial means to meet PSG’s asking price.
That development could be particularly significant for Arsenal.
If Liverpool cannot bridge the financial gap, Arsenal could attempt to move into the negotiations and turn what appeared to be a difficult transfer into one of the summer’s biggest Premier League battles.
PSG are under no obvious obligation to sell Barcola, which gives the French champions considerable power in negotiations.
The winger has established himself as an important member of the squad since arriving from Lyon in 2023 and has already made 152 appearances for the Parisian club.
He has scored 39 goals during that period and has been part of a PSG side that has collected three Ligue 1 titles and two Champions League trophies.
His contribution means PSG can demand a substantial fee if they decide his future should be determined by a transfer.
One factor Arsenal and Liverpool will be monitoring is PSG’s changing attacking structure.
The French champions have sanctioned permanent departures involving Lee Kang-in, Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani, but they have also continued to explore additions in attacking areas.
PSG have completed the signing of French attacker Maghnes Akliouche and are reportedly interested in Ajax forward Mika Godts. Barcelona winger Ferran Torres has also been linked with a possible move.
Those developments could increase competition for attacking positions at the Parc des Princes.
For a player of Barcola’s age and ambition, his place in the hierarchy could therefore become an important part of any decision about his future.
Arsenal’s interest is also explained by their own squad situation.
The departure of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas has left Arteta with another reason to strengthen the wide areas, particularly if the club wants greater depth and variety in the final third.
Barcola would offer a different attacking dimension through his acceleration and willingness to attack defenders directly.
His age also makes him an appealing long-term investment rather than simply a short-term replacement.
For Arsenal, however, the financial demands remain substantial.
The collapse of the Vinicius Jr pursuit represents a significant change in Arsenal’s transfer planning.
The Gunners had been prepared to make a major financial commitment for the Real Madrid winger, whose previous contract had been approaching its final year.
Instead, Vinicius agreed a new deal reportedly worth around £480,000 per week, effectively ending Arsenal’s hopes of bringing him to the Emirates.
That has left the club searching for an alternative capable of delivering similar attacking impact.
Barcola does not have the same profile or experience as Vinicius, but Arsenal could see his age and potential as reasons to pursue him aggressively.
Arsenal are not relying exclusively on Barcola.
The club also admires Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, although a move for the former Manchester City attacker appears considerably more complicated.
Alvarez is expected to remain in Spain, making the likelihood of Arsenal completing a deal for him difficult to assess.
His situation could therefore encourage Arsenal to concentrate more heavily on other attacking targets, including Barcola.
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye is another player understood to have attracted Arsenal’s attention.
The Senegal international impressed during his time on Merseyside, although his own future remains uncertain amid interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Ndiaye would represent a different type of investment from Barcola, but Arsenal’s interest in several attacking players underlines the club’s determination to add more options to Arteta’s frontline.
The need for attacking reinforcements has become even more apparent following Arsenal’s disappointing pre-season performance against Real Betis.
The Gunners suffered a 3-1 defeat in Dublin, producing a display that left Arteta clearly dissatisfied.
Asked about the reaction inside the dressing room, the Arsenal manager did not hide his frustration.
“They are very upset, given a hard time. They are fuming, but this is good. That’s what we need,” Arteta said.
The comments underline the standards Arteta expects as Arsenal prepare for another demanding campaign.
A new winger alone would not solve every problem, but adding a player capable of providing greater threat and unpredictability in the final third could become an important part of the club’s recruitment strategy.
Despite Arsenal’s reported interest, Liverpool should not be written out of the picture.
The Reds have already invested significant time in negotiations and have reportedly made progress on personal terms with Barcola’s camp.
That gives Liverpool an advantage if they can find a way to satisfy PSG’s financial demands.
The key question is whether PSG will reduce their valuation or whether Liverpool can restructure a proposal capable of convincing the French club to sell.
For Arsenal, the opportunity is clear.
If Liverpool’s financial limitations prevent the Reds from completing the deal, the Gunners could attempt to seize the initiative and make Barcola one of their marquee signings.
But matching a £130 million valuation would represent another major financial commitment after Arsenal’s previous plans for Vinicius Jr fell apart.
The outcome could ultimately depend less on which club wants Barcola most and more on which club is prepared to meet PSG’s demands.
Barcola’s situation has all the ingredients of a major summer transfer contest.
Liverpool need a new attacking star, Arsenal need another left-sided option, and PSG have placed a huge valuation on one of Europe’s most promising young forwards.
The French club’s asking price remains the biggest obstacle, but Liverpool’s reported inability to meet it has opened a potential route for Arsenal.
For Arteta, the priority will now be finding an attacker capable of replacing the ambitions that accompanied the failed Vinicius Jr pursuit.
For Liverpool, the challenge is keeping their negotiations alive despite the financial gap. And for Barcola, the coming weeks could determine whether he remains part of PSG’s increasingly competitive attack or becomes the centrepiece of a record-level Premier League transfer battle.
