Arsenal target PSG's Barcola in summer push to finally crack Champions League

Arsenal are moving toward a formal bid for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with the club researching the details of a potential deal for the 23-year-old Frenchman. Mikel Arteta has identified attacking quality as his primary concern this summer, and Barcola has emerged as a target capable of upgrading the starting line-up at the Emirates.

Barcola arrives at this moment in strong form on two fronts. He scored on his World Cup debut as France beat Senegal 3-1 in Group I, producing a delightful chipped finish that split Kylian Mbappé’s brace during a dominant second half in New Jersey. He also ended last season as a European champion with PSG — the very club that defeated Arsenal in the Champions League final.

Liverpool are also thought to have monitored Barcola’s progress, with Andoni Iraola’s side understood to be in the market for two wide forwards this summer. That competition for his signature could complicate Arsenal’s pursuit, though the Gunners appear to be the side actively preparing a bid.

PSG would prefer to retain Barcola but are open to reshaping their attack, partly because they hold interest in two players already linked with Arsenal: Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez and Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers. That overlap in targets creates a scenario where movement on one deal could influence another.

Arsenal have not ruled out signing both Rogers and an attacker of Barcola’s profile, a dual-signing approach that reflects Arteta’s stated ambition to take the club to the next level despite already winning the Premier League and reaching a Champions League final. Should Barcola join, he would compete with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard for the left-wing berth.