Arsenal are reportedly set to step up their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain striker Bradley Barcola this week, with the club said to have received positive signals about a potential move. The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the Gunners’ main targets in the current transfer window.
BBC Sport reports that the club have been keeping an eye on the France international for some time and triggered the rule against him for Tuesday night’s World Cup match between France and Sweden. Barcola was given a starting spot by coach Didier Deschamps, and he repaid the favor by halting his side’s progress with a second-half goal.
England international Morgan Rodgers is also high on Arsenal’s wishlist, with Aston Villa reportedly seeking a whopping £130m for the midfielder. By comparison, signing Barcola, who has two years left on his contract with PSG, would be considerably more valuable to the north London side.
The French winger played 49 games in all competitions for PSG last season, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. He has one goal and one assist in three World Cup matches so far.
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his attacking options ahead of the new season as Arsenal aim to retain their Premier League title, while also harboring ambitions to take another step forward in the Champions League, where they last suffered a heavy defeat against PSG last season.
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Barcola could skyrocket as RB Leipzig’s Yann Diomand looks set to complete a move to the French capital.
His expected arrival could intensify competition for the position, with Barcola potentially able to pursue a move this summer.
However, the Gunners are not the only club circling, with Liverpool also reportedly keeping a close eye on the winger. The Reds themselves were tracking Diomande even before he decided to join PSG.
Earlier this month, Barcola was reported to have told PSG he wanted to leave the club this summer, with the Parisians understood to value him at around £60m.
PSG coach Luis Enrique made his stance on the player clear in a speech last year.
“What’s the future of Bradley Barcora? There’s no question he’ll continue to be our player,” he said.
“We like the fact that our player is interesting for other clubs, but he is one of the young players we are looking forward to.
“I expect him to play here for many more years.”
