Emmanuel Petit backs Liverpool in £130m Bradley Barcola race
Emmanuel Petit believes Liverpool, not Arsenal, will land Bradley Barcola this summer – and says the PSG winger would be far more important to Andoni Iraola than to Mikel Arteta.
The former Arsenal midfielder expects the 23-year-old France international to leave Paris with contract talks at a standstill and both English clubs searching for a new wide forward before the window shuts on September 1. The price is eye-watering: well over £100m, with PSG holding out for around £130m (€151m).
Liverpool have been leading the chase for some time. Barcola is understood to favour a move to Anfield, and personal terms are already in place. The sticking point is familiar: Fenway Sports Group are not yet willing to go all the way to PSG’s valuation.
Arsenal, by contrast, arrived late to the party. Their interest has grown after the departure of Leandro Trossard and with Gabriel Martinelli also expected to move on, leaving Arteta’s left flank suddenly lighter on numbers.
Yet Petit thinks the dynamic in north London has changed.
Tzolis impact shapes Petit’s verdict
“Arsenal have just signed Christos Tzolis, who has made a big impression so far, he was brilliant in the Community Shield,” Petit told Grosvenor Sport.
Tzolis’ fast start matters. It alters the balance of Arsenal’s attack and, in Petit’s eyes, the logic of another huge outlay on a left-sided forward.
“With Martinelli leaving and Trossard no longer at the club, they likely need another option on the left side,” he said. “If they were to bring in Barcola, it would be difficult for both players to secure a spot in the starting eleven.”
That is the crux of his argument. Arsenal might want another winger, but they already have a rising one bedding in. Liverpool, he argues, do not have that luxury.
“That said, I am a huge fan of Barcola. I believe Liverpool need him much more than Arsenal,” Petit insisted. “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 is not a luxury signing at Anfield. He is a structural one.
Iraola’s challenge goes beyond Barcola
Even so, the World Cup winner is not convinced that winning the Barcola race would suddenly catapult Liverpool back among the Premier League’s elite.
Andoni Iraola has taken on one of the most demanding jobs in European football, swapping Bournemouth for Liverpool after Arne Slot’s exit at the end of last season. The jump in expectation is brutal. So, Petit argues, is the current state of the squad.
“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.
That uncertainty colours his view of the campaign ahead.
“They have a new manager in Iraola, and adjusting to the scale of Liverpool after Bournemouth is a big transition. Liverpool need results immediately.”
While the club wrestles with a nine-figure decision on Barcola, Petit has already sketched out his top-four picture – and it does not include the six-time European champions.
“Ultimately, I see the top four being Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Liverpool may find it tough again this year.”
Even if Barcola walks through the Shankly Gates, Petit clearly thinks Iraola’s real battle has only just begun.
