Arsenal's Summer Flank Plans: Barcola vs Vinicius Jr

Arsenal’s summer plans on the flanks are being pulled in two directions at once: the here-and-now of Bradley Barcola, and the fantasy‑turned‑possibility of Vinicius Jr.

Both stories are live. Neither looks simple.

Liverpool move first on Barcola

Arsenal have tracked Bradley Barcola for some time, sending scouts to watch the Paris Saint‑Germain winger as they assess options to strengthen their forward line. The 23-year-old France international fits the brief: young, explosive, and comfortable operating wide, particularly from the left.

But just as Arsenal weigh up their move, Liverpool have stepped to the front of the queue.

Reports in France claim Liverpool are in direct talks with PSG over a transfer for Barcola. The Merseyside club are said to be leading the race, yet any sense of an imminent deal is quickly checked by the numbers involved.

PSG value Barcola at around €170million (about £145m). Liverpool, by contrast, are trying to drag that figure down towards £85m. That is not a small gap. It is a chasm, and one that hints at a long, drawn-out negotiation that could rumble on until the final days of the window.

If Arsenal choose to act on their long-standing interest, they know the likely script: patience, brinkmanship, and a saga that may not resolve until close to the September 1 deadline.

Vinicius Jr: the marquee ambition

While Barcola represents one strand of planning, Arsenal’s primary focus for the left wing is even more ambitious: Vinicius Jr.

The Real Madrid star has emerged as the main target for that position, an area Arsenal have clearly identified as needing reinforcement. Any move for Vinicius would belong firmly in the “superstar” category, both in financial scale and in sporting impact. For now, the move is described as being explored rather than advanced, but the intent is unmistakable: Arsenal want a game-changer on that flank.

Such ambition also reflects the shifting shape of Mikel Arteta’s attack.

Trossard gone, Martinelli uncertain, Tzolis in

Leandro Trossard’s exit has already been agreed. The Belgian is set to join Besiktas after a £17million fee was finalised earlier this month, removing a reliable, versatile option from the left side of Arsenal’s front line.

Gabriel Martinelli’s future, meanwhile, is still unclear. The Brazilian has been central to Arsenal’s recent evolution, but the uncertainty around him only sharpens the need for clarity – and quality – in that area of the pitch.

Arsenal have not stood still. Christos Tzolis has arrived from Club Brugge in a £34million deal, adding another wide forward to the mix. The Greece international offers promise and end product, but his arrival has not cooled the club’s pursuit of a top-tier left winger. If anything, it underlines the scale of the rebuild in those positions.

Champions reshaping on the fly

Illan Meslier is the only other new face in a squad that lifted the Premier League title last season. A title defence usually leans on continuity; Arsenal are instead trying to refresh a winning side without losing its edge.

The equation is clear. Barcola sits on one side: expensive, contested, but attainable with the right offer. Vinicius Jr stands on the other: a statement signing from the European champions, the kind that shifts not just games, but perceptions.

Between those two poles, Arsenal have a little over a month to decide how bold they want to be – and how much they are willing to pay to stay ahead of the pack.