Arsenal urged to hijack Liverpool’s move for £130m attacker

Bradley Barcola Transfer News: Emmanuel Frimpong believes Arsenal should make one last push for Bradley Barcola before Liverpool complete a deal for the Paris Saint-Germain winger. Speaking through Ladbrokes, the former Arsenal midfielder argued that winning major honours should never slow recruitment. Instead, he feels Mikel Arteta needs fresh competition in wide areas alongside a natural number eight if Arsenal want to keep setting the pace.

“Mikel [Arteta] and the boys have finally got it over the line, which I’m very happy about,” Frimpong told Ladbrokes. “But they shouldn’t just win it once and be satisfied with that.

“They have to keep on winning it now and dominate just like how Man United and Man City have in the past.

“We’ve got the players, we’ve got a deep squad and hopefully this summer, the board are going to strengthen further, because I still think we need a couple of wingers and a proper number eight.”

Frimpong believes Barcola would be an ideal addition to Arteta’s squad, adding: “I feel like Declan Rice is playing in a position which isn’t natural to him, so we need a proper number eight alongside him.

“For me, when it comes to realistic signings this summer, with those positions in mind, I feel like Bruno Guimaraes is someone I’d love to see at Arsenal.

“And also Bradley Barcola… I think he would be very good for Arsenal. Barcola and Bruno Guimaraes would be a very good transfer window for Arsenal.”

The report, published by the London Standard sports desk, claims Liverpool have already received encouraging signs from Barcola over a move to Anfield. Even so, PSG have made negotiations difficult with a valuation exceeding £130 million. Arsenal have their own priorities. The club continue to press ahead with an £80 million pursuit of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães while monitoring the possibility of a record-breaking move for Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior. As for Barcola, the France international enjoyed another productive Ligue 1 season in 2025/26, scoring 11 league goals as PSG secured another domestic title.

Why Arsenal should avoid a bidding war

Barcola has everything elite clubs look for. He attacks defenders without hesitation, glides past challenges and creates panic whenever space opens up. Few young wingers in Europe carry that combination of pace and composure.

Still, Arsenal have to judge the whole squad instead of one outstanding player. Martin Ødegaard already drives the attack from midfield, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard compete for minutes on the left, while Bukayo Saka remains untouchable on the right. Spending well over £130 million on another left-sided attacker feels difficult to justify when midfield reinforcement has greater importance. Bruno Guimarães answers a much clearer tactical need.

Liverpool have stronger reasons to chase Barcola

Liverpool’s position is different. Andoni Iraola wants a front line capable of constant movement, relentless pressing and direct running. Barcola naturally suits that profile, so the interest makes complete football sense despite PSG’s huge demands.

Arsenal would gain little from entering an auction simply because Liverpool have identified a priority target. Recruitment works best when every signing solves a specific issue instead of grabbing headlines. Vinícius Júnior, should that extraordinary opportunity ever become realistic, offers a proven superstar capable of changing matches at the highest level.

Read: Arsenal remain interested in £60m Saliba replacement

Scorzo’s opinion: Frimpong’s suggestion makes for an eye-catching debate, yet Arsenal should keep their discipline. Barcola is a magnificent talent, though squad building isn’t about collecting expensive names. Strengthening the midfield while keeping financial flexibility gives Arteta a stronger platform than committing more than £130 million to a position that already has genuine quality.