Emmanuel Petit Backs Liverpool in £130m Barcola Race

Emmanuel Petit believes Liverpool, not the reigning Premier League champions, are best placed to land Bradley Barcola this summer – even with a fee expected to soar well beyond £100million.

The former Arsenal midfielder sees the PSG and France winger as a perfect fit for Anfield, and a luxury rather than a necessity for his old club.

Barcola tug-of-war

Both Liverpool and Arsenal are scouring the market for a wide forward before the window slams shut on September 1, and Barcola sits near the top of their lists.

The 23-year-old is poised to leave PSG after talks over a new deal stalled. Liverpool have been leading the chase for months, with Barcola understood to favour a move to Anfield and personal terms already agreed.

One problem. Money.

FSG are currently unwilling to meet PSG’s £130million (€151m) valuation, a price that would catapult Barcola into the very top bracket of Premier League transfers.

Arsenal, by contrast, arrived late to the party. Their interest has sharpened after the departure of Leandro Trossard and with Gabriel Martinelli also expected to move on, leaving a clear gap on the left.

Petit, though, sees a different picture.

“Arsenal have just signed Christos Tzolis, who has made a big impression so far, he was brilliant in the Community Shield,” he told Grosvenor Sport, pointing to the Greek winger’s electric start since joining from Club Brugge.

“With Martinelli leaving and Trossard no longer at the club, they likely need another option on the left side.

“If they were to bring in Barcola, it would be difficult for both players to secure a spot in the starting eleven.”

That logjam on the flank is exactly why Petit feels Liverpool should be pushing harder.

“I am a huge fan of Barcola. I believe Liverpool need him much more than Arsenal,” he said.

“They definitely need to strengthen their wide areas, particularly on the left flank, they have had problems there since the start of last season.”

For Petit, Barcola at Arsenal would be a statement. At Liverpool, he would be a solution.

Iraola’s challenge at Anfield

Even so, the World Cup winner is not convinced that winning this transfer battle will drag Liverpool back into the Champions League places.

Andoni Iraola has traded Bournemouth for one of the most pressurised jobs in European football, stepping in after Arne Slot’s exit at the end of last season. The jump in expectation is enormous, and Petit sees too many gaps in the current squad to talk confidently about a top-four finish.

“I am still waiting to see Liverpool’s full intent in the transfer market, as they currently appear to be missing key players,” he said.

“They have a new manager in Iraola, and adjusting to the scale of Liverpool after Bournemouth is a big transition.

“Liverpool need results immediately.”

That urgency shapes Petit’s forecast. Even if Barcola walks through the door, he does not see the Reds muscling aside the established contenders.

“Ultimately, I see the top four being Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Liverpool may find it tough again this year.”

So while Liverpool might yet beat the champions to Barcola’s signature, Petit’s warning is clear: one marquee winger will not, on his own, fix everything at Anfield.