Arsenal Eye Bradley Barcola as Final Signing
Arsenal have joined the queue for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with former striker Carlton Cole adamant the Frenchman is exactly the profile Mikel Arteta still needs.
Barcola wants out of PSG this summer and the French champions are ready to cash in at the right price so they can reshape their squad. That stance has lit up the market. Several clubs have circled, but Liverpool have pushed hardest so far and currently sit closest to a deal.
They have not closed it, though. And that keeps the door open.
Arsenal watching Liverpool – and their own outgoings
Liverpool’s interest has been strong over recent weeks and they could yet beat Arsenal to Barcola’s signature. Until anything is signed, Arsenal remain in the conversation and are understood to be monitoring the situation as the window ticks towards its end.
Any serious move from north London is likely to hinge on what happens with Gabriel Martinelli. If Arsenal manage to offload the Brazilian, space opens up on the left of Arteta’s attack. Barcola would step straight into that lane: a left-sided forward, quick, direct, and another layer of quality on a frontline already upgraded this summer.
He would not arrive empty-handed either. Barcola has back-to-back Champions League titles on his CV with PSG and would walk into the Emirates dressing room as a player who knows what it takes to win at the very top level.
Cole looks at that blend of talent and pedigree and sees a missing piece.
Cole: Arsenal “need another left-sided forward”
Speaking to the Metro, Cole underlined his belief that Arsenal still have work to do before the window shuts.
“Bruno Guimaraes has come in, he's a brilliant player, and I still think they probably want one more signing before the window shuts.
“I know they're still trying to do a little bit of business. I think they need another left-sided forward, they're obvious in the running to sign Barcola; they need someone like that.”
For Cole, the equation is simple: one more forward, specifically on that left flank, to complete the attacking puzzle. Barcola fits the brief.
A proven winner on the market
Arsenal have already been busy, but opportunities like this do not come around often. A young winger with Champions League medals, top-level experience in Paris, and the hunger to move on for a bigger role is a rare combination.
His pace and one-v-one ability would give Arteta another way to stretch defences, another threat to rotate with the existing front line, and crucially, a player used to the pressure of chasing major trophies.
Liverpool still stand as serious contenders and remain in the strongest position right now. Their inability so far to finalise terms, though, leaves a sliver of daylight for Arsenal. Any late push from the Emirates will depend on whether they can clear room in the squad and put together an offer that satisfies PSG.
If Barcola does walk away from Paris before the window closes, the question is simple: will he be adding his Champions League pedigree to Liverpool’s attack, or giving Arsenal the left-sided weapon Cole insists they still lack?
