Emmanuel Petit backs Liverpool to secure Bradley Barcola signing
Emmanuel Petit believes Liverpool will ultimately beat Arsenal to the blockbuster signing of Bradley Barcola – and he’s convinced the French winger is far more of a necessity at Anfield than at the Emirates.
The former Arsenal midfielder expects the transfer to smash through the £100million mark, with PSG holding out for around £130m as the window ticks towards its September 1 deadline.
Liverpool and Arsenal collide over Barcola
Both Liverpool and Arsenal are scouring the market for a new wide forward, and Barcola has quickly become the shared obsession.
The 23-year-old, a Champions League winner with PSG and now a regular in the France set-up, looks increasingly likely to leave Paris after talks over a new deal stalled. Liverpool have been in position for some time, seen as frontrunners and already understood to have agreed personal terms with the player.
The problem is the price.
FSG are digging their heels in over PSG’s £130m valuation, a figure inflated by the fees Manchester City and Chelsea have paid for Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers this summer. Liverpool want Barcola. They just don’t want to be held to ransom.
Arsenal, by contrast, have arrived late to the chase. Their interest has sharpened after Leandro Trossard’s departure and with Gabriel Martinelli also expected to move on. The left flank is being rebuilt, and Barcola fits the profile.
Petit, though, sees a different logic.
‘Liverpool need him much more than Arsenal’
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Petit pointed to Arsenal’s recent business – and one signing in particular – as the key reason Barcola should look north to Merseyside.
“Arsenal have just signed Christos Tzolis, who has made a big impression so far, he was brilliant in the Community Shield,” Petit said.
“With Martinelli leaving and Trossard no longer at the club, they likely need another option on the left side.
“If they were to bring in Barcola, it would be difficult for both players to secure a spot in the starting eleven.
“That said, I am a huge fan of Barcola. I believe Liverpool need him much more than Arsenal.
“They definitely need to strengthen their wide areas, particularly on the left flank, they have had problems there since the start of last season.”
It’s a blunt assessment. Arsenal, in Petit’s eyes, already have a rising force in Tzolis, who has hit the ground running since his summer move from Club Brugge. Liverpool, under Andoni Iraola, are still searching for a reliable, long-term threat on that left side.
The pressure is on Liverpool’s hierarchy now. Barcola wants Anfield, the terms are in place, and the window is closing. The only question is whether FSG blink first or PSG back down.
Petit doubts Liverpool’s top-four credentials
Even if Liverpool land their man, Petit is not convinced it will be enough to drag them back into the Premier League’s elite places this season.
The Frenchman sees too many gaps in Iraola’s squad and too steep a jump for the new manager, who left Bournemouth to replace Arne Slot at the end of last season.
“I am still waiting to see Liverpool’s full intent in the transfer market, as they currently appear to be missing key players,” Petit said.
“They have a new manager in Iraola, and adjusting to the scale of Liverpool after Bournemouth is a big transition.
“Liverpool need results immediately.
“Ultimately, I see the top four being Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Liverpool may find it tough again this year.”
It’s a stark verdict: even with a £100m-plus winger potentially arriving, Petit does not currently see Liverpool in his top-four picture.
Liverpool, though, are clearly not done. Alongside their pursuit of Barcola, fresh reports indicate the club are also pushing for a highly-rated Chile attacker as Iraola’s rebuild gathers pace.
If Barcola walks out at Anfield in red, the statement will be loud. Whether it’s loud enough to drag Liverpool back into the Champions League fight is exactly the doubt Petit refuses to shake.
