Desailly urges Barcola to snub Arsenal and Liverpool and stay at PSG

Marcel Desailly has publicly advised Bradley Barcola to turn down reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool this summer, insisting the Paris Saint-Germain winger is not yet ready for a move to the Premier League.

Barcola, 23, has caught the eye at the 2026 World Cup, scoring twice and registering an assist in five appearances for France. Reports have suggested Arsenal hold an advantage in any potential transfer race, with the winger said to favour a move to the Gunners over Liverpool.

But Desailly, speaking to Sportcasting, was unequivocal in his verdict. “Should he move to the Premier League? Not yet. Not yet at all,” the former France defender said. “Sorry Arsenal and Liverpool fans. He should stay at Paris Saint-Germain, play 25 games a season, and grow within that system.”

Desailly pointed to the lessons Barcola is absorbing under Didier Deschamps as central to his argument. “Barcola doesn’t need to leave PSG. He’s too young. Didier Deschamps is teaching him a lesson and he’s giving him a chance,” he said.

“I never expected Didier to swap him with Désiré Doué. He has really given him a chance — and he’s been rewarded for it. I thought that for Barcola to start and play 90 minutes at the international level, he wouldn’t do it because Barcola is too light on defensive discipline.”

Desailly acknowledged that Barcola’s defensive work rate had been a persistent concern, citing his performances for both PSG and France during Euro 2024. “He wasn’t making the effort to get back into position. The attention and defensive alertness isn’t there to match the speed he projects going forward.”

However, the World Cup has shown signs of improvement. “He’s growing, he’s learning, and he’s getting that winning mentality on both sides of the game — being available for the team structurally without the ball while also being the one who makes the difference,” Desailly added.

The transfer speculation has been fuelled in part by Barcola’s inconsistent role at PSG last season, where he featured in 49 matches across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and contributing seven assists but was rotated in and out of the starting XI. PSG are also reported to be close to signing Yan Diomandé, which would increase competition for places in Luis Enrique’s squad.

France face Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals on Thursday, with Barcola expected to feature as Deschamps’ side look to reach the last four.