Liverpool were leading.
Formal talks had begun with PSG.
Everything was pointing toward Anfield.
And then Arsenal picked up the phone.
Arsenal make contact with Barcola’s camp to hijack Liverpool’s £130m pursuit of PSG superstar
According to TeamTalk, Arsenal have made fresh contact with Bradley Barcola’s representatives, entering the race for the PSG forward and threatening to derail what had appeared to be Liverpool’s deal to complete, although, in the same article, it has been said that PSG are more inclined to sell to Liverpool.
The Gunners’ pursuit of Vinicius Junior ended when the Brazilian signed a new contract at Real Madrid.
Mikel Arteta needed an answer for the left wing.
Barcola is that answer.
PSG have placed a €150 million valuation on the 24-year-old.
A figure influenced directly by the summer’s most expensive deals, Morgan Rogers leaving Aston Villa for £117 million and Elliot Anderson departing Nottingham Forest for £116 million.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool are reluctant to match that number.
But neither is willing to withdraw entirely.
Liverpool’s position is the more advanced of the two.
That gap is precisely what Arsenal are trying to exploit.
Barcola has asked to leave the defending Champions League holders.
Former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who coached him with the France Under-21 and Olympic squads, offered perhaps the most revealing endorsement.
“Even before I was the coach of the Under-21s, I had already seen his personality. His way of playing, of challenging defenders, of saying that he wants to leave, of doing it, of coming back and having personality. I think he will not need comfort or reassurance.”
That personality. That confidence. That directness.
Arsenal are not out of the race.
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