Bradley Barcola's Future: Liverpool and Arsenal in the Race
Bradley Barcola’s future has become one of the sharpest subplots of the summer, and Liverpool are right in the middle of it.
While the winger is lighting up the World Cup with France – he scored in their opening Group I win over Senegal – the situation at Paris Saint-Germain has stalled. Not on the pitch, but at the negotiating table.
Contract talks frozen as Premier League giants circle
PSG see Barcola as a cornerstone of their future. Thirteen goals and seven assists in 49 appearances last season, a key role in defending both the Champions League and Ligue 1 titles, and at just 23 he is already one of the standout attacking talents in France.
But admiration is one thing. Assurances are another.
Behind Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in Luis Enrique’s pecking order for the biggest games, Barcola is weighing up his options. PSG have put a €100m (£86m) price tag on him, aware that both Liverpool and Arsenal are pushing hard to bring him to the Premier League.
For now, the Paris project has hit a wall. Fabrizio Romano revealed on his YouTube channel that talks over a new contract are “completely, completely on standby”. No progress, no breakthrough, no agreement in sight.
PSG and Barcola, at least for this moment, are standing still. Everyone else is moving.
Liverpool and Arsenal scent an opening
That stalemate has electrified the chase. Romano confirmed that Barcola sits firmly on the shortlists of both Liverpool and Arsenal, with the Italian reporter describing the situation as “absolutely open”.
Liverpool’s interest is not new. According to Romano, the winger was on their shortlist in 2025 and remains there in 2026. Inside the club, his name keeps coming up.
“Internally at Liverpool they are discussing Barcola every single week,” Romano said on the Born ‘N Red podcast. “It’s a player they appreciate, a player they wanted already in summer 2025, but it wasn’t possible. So, they love Barcola.”
Reports in France suggest the feeling is mutual. Barcola is said to be thrilled by the prospect of a move to Anfield.
Arsenal, though, are not watching from a distance. They have reportedly prepared an opening bid of around €80m (£69m), a clear signal that they are ready to test PSG’s resolve.
Diomande deadlock pushes Barcola up Liverpool’s list
Liverpool’s pursuit of Barcola is also shaped by frustration elsewhere. RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande is their primary wide target, but that deal has become increasingly fraught.
The Reds have already tabled a €100m offer for Diomande, only to be told Leipzig want an eye-watering €148m (£128m). German reports have underlined just how difficult it will be to prise him away.
So the strategy has shifted. Romano says Liverpool are maintaining active contacts for both Diomande and Barcola, but at “completely different stages”: an official bid and ongoing talks with Leipzig for Diomande, and a strong internal push and admiration for Barcola.
The more Diomande drifts out of reach, the more Barcola moves into focus.
Life after Salah – and a new-look Liverpool attack
Liverpool have already made one significant move in the wide areas, landing Spanish winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna for €40m (£34.5m). That signing alone does not satisfy the club’s broader plan.
They want another winger. Someone who can compete with Cody Gakpo, stretch defences, and, crucially, grow into the role of Mohamed Salah’s eventual successor.
Barcola fits that profile: young, proven at the highest level, comfortable under the weight of expectation and already delivering in Champions League and World Cup environments. PSG rate him as a future world-class star. Liverpool, by all accounts, agree.
The equation is clear. PSG are standing firm on their valuation. Contract talks are frozen. Arsenal are readying a bid. Liverpool, who “love” the player and discuss him weekly, are edging towards a decision.
If Diomande remains locked behind Leipzig’s demands, does Barcola become the winger around whom Liverpool build the next era of their attack?
