Arsenal Shift Into Top Gear for Barcola as Liverpool's Attention Wanders

The Gunners are stepping up their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola this summer, seizing the initiative while Liverpool's gaze drifts elsewhere.

Arsenal are keen to bolster their left-wing options ahead of the new campaign, with speculation mounting that Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard could depart the Emirates. Manager Mikel Arteta is actively hunting for a replacement on that flank, and Barcola has emerged as a prime candidate.

The financial muscle is there too. After claiming the Premier League title and reaching the Champions League final last season, Arsenal have the resources to make a significant summer splash.

According to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, the north London club have now been "given the green light to accelerate a move" for the France international. PSG are understood to be receptive to offers, and the Gunners have moved ahead of Liverpool in the queue to land the 23-year-old.

O'Rourke explained the thinking: "Liverpool's top target is Yan Diomande. I think Barcola is possibly the backup to that deal if they can't agree on terms with RB Leipzig. Arsenal are also interested in the Frenchman, and it seems that they are ahead. PSG might be willing to let him leave this summer if they get a suitable offer, because he has found himself falling down the pecking order in Luis Enrique's squad."

The situation has been muddied by contract complications at the Parc des Princes. Fabrizio Romano revealed that negotiations between Barcola and PSG over fresh terms have stalled completely. Rather than any certainty over his future, the 23-year-old's position remains genuinely uncertain.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have been tracking Barcola for some time. The Reds had him on their radar as far back as 2025 and continue to monitor developments closely. However, with Diomande appearing to be their primary focus, Arsenal have seized the opportunity to move centre stage.

Romano cautioned that the whole affair remains fluid. "The situation remains completely open and much will depend on what Paris Saint-Germain decide to do," he noted. Valuation, Liverpool's intentions, Arsenal's commitment, and the possibility of other suitors entering the fray will all play a part in determining where Barcola ends up come August.