Bradley Barcola Transfer News: Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris has urged the Blues to think about hijacking Liverpool’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, according to a report from Football Talk.
Bradley Barcola Transfer News: Chelsea told to enter race
Liverpool want a major new wide player after Mohamed Salah’s departure, and manager Andoni Iraola has reportedly placed the 23-year-old high on his list. PSG, though, have slapped an eye-watering price on their man. Reports suggest the French champions want around £145m.
That figure explains why this deal has become so complicated.
Barcola still produced strong numbers during 2025/26. He scored 11 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances and finished the season with 13 goals and four assists in 48 matches across all competitions, helping PSG win another French title.
Morris accepts that a Chelsea swoop may sound ambitious, especially given Barcola’s success in Paris, but he believes the club should at least look at the situation. Chelsea have already signed Morgan Rogers, while Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto give Xabi Alonso plenty of options out wide.
Morris said:
“I would have loved to have been in a position where we[Chelsea] can go after Barcola. But I said this previously, I was really surprised that we managed to get Morgan Rogers through the door when he’s playing for a team that’s already in the Champions League and reportedly had the champions of England [Arsenal] after him as well.
“I was really surprised that we managed to get him through the door, so I think it would be wishful thinking if we were then able to get another player of that ilk [Barcola] who has just won the Champions League twice.”
Bradley Barcola Transfer News: Chelsea should leave this alone
My view? Chelsea shouldn’t touch this deal at the current price.
Barcola has serious quality. He carries the ball quickly over long distances, makes dangerous runs beyond defenders and works hard without possession. Those traits would suit Alonso’s style far better than a winger who simply wants the ball at his feet every time.
The problem is obvious: money. PSG reportedly want close to €150m, around £128.6m, and Liverpool have already seen a verbal €100m offer knocked back. Chelsea would have to pay a premium, then potentially offer enormous wages to convince a player who reportedly prefers Anfield. That’s a bad recipe.
Rogers can play on the left, Gittens needs minutes to develop, and Neto already provides another attacking option. Spending £120m or more on another winger could leave Chelsea with a costly traffic jam in one area while a genuine No. 9 remains the bigger priority.
Bradley Barcola Transfer News: Chelsea must set £85m ceiling
There is one figure that would change the argument: £85m.
At around €100m, Chelsea could justify taking a serious look. Barcola’s 11 Ligue 1 goals in 2025/26 show that he offers more than flashy dribbling, while his movement and pressing would give Alonso a different type of weapon.
Read: £33m Chelsea star set to complete summer transfer to Serie A giants
Above that figure, though, Chelsea should step aside. They don’t need to outbid Liverpool just to prove they can. Spending close to £130m on a winger who reportedly wants another club would be an absurdly expensive gamble.
