Arsenal’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola has been dealt a huge blow.
The PSG winger has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time, with Fabrizio Romano recently confirming that “movements are expected around Barcola this summer, with Arsenal, Liverpool and one more club keen on the PSG winger.”
His contract runs until 2028 and talks over an extension have been dragging on for two years, which has made a departure look increasingly likely.
But according to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins via Le10 Sport, speaking on RMC’s Generation After programme, PSG could be about to make the biggest sale in their history.
“For the moment, Bradley Barcola hasn’t said he wants to leave. If tomorrow he knocks on the door of the sporting director or the president saying he wants to leave — we were talking about Leipzig asking for around €130million for [Yan] Diomande — I think we’ll be in the same ballpark,” Hawkins said.
Would Bradley Barcola be an upgrade on Arsenal’s left-wing? If not, who would be?
An eye-opening insight 🫣
At €130million (£112million), Barcola would become the most expensive signing in Arsenal’s history.
So. Is he worth it?
Arsenal should avoid pursuing Bradley Barcola at that price
Barcola is undoubtedly talented. He contributed 13 goals and five assists across Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season, playing a part in PSG’s European triumph.
But he is not a guaranteed starter at PSG, and did not exactly impress in his substitute cameo against Mikel Arteta’s side in the final.
The leap from bit-part player in Ligue 1 to elite difference-maker in the Premier League is not one you can simply assume will happen at £112million.
The expectation attached to that fee would be huge, and the evidence that he can consistently meet it is, at best, partial.
Compare that to Morgan Rogers, who is Premier League-proven, arguably has better numbers, and is available for around £80million.
Andrea Berta has been smart and ruthless leading Arsenal’s recruitment since joining last summer.
Spending £112million on a player who doesn’t get into the best XI of the team you are trying to usurp would be the exact opposite of that.
However exciting Barcola looks on his very best days, and he can look very exciting indeed, the answer, at that price, is probably no.
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