One of window’s most crucial battles 

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Two ambitious Premier League giants. Two Basque managers. And a similar gaping hole in both team’s attacks. Both Liverpool and champions Arsenal are on the hunt for a top winger this summer transfer window. For the Anfield side, club legend Mohamed Salah has moved on and they need a new superstar to lead their attack and get back to fighting at the top after last season’s meagre title defence. For the Gunners, they can’t standstill after finally winning the league and the most obvious area of deficiency in their starting line up is on the left wing. Step forward Bradley Barcola.

The latest reports suggest that RB Leipzig’s in-demand teenage winger Yan Diomande favours a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer if he is to leave the Bundesliga. This not only takes Liverpool out of the race for him, after they had shown serious interest, but somewhat affirms the reports that French winger Barcola wants to leave the French capital to pursue more game-time. The player is currently with the French national team at the World Cup. Both Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked with the 23 year old for sometime.

Who is currently leading the race for Bradley Barcola?

According to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, Barcola’s situation remains absolutely open and he is high on Liverpool’s list. If both Diomande and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche join PSG, Barcola’s future will be in serious doubt. Liverpool have been keen since last summer. Barcola’s agent is thought to have been trying to renew his contract for the best part of a year with PSG, but talks have been complicated and it reached a point where both parties agreed to put negotiations on hold so that both the player and the team could focus on important matches in April and May. After the Champions League final, talks resumed and remain ongoing, but the player has reportedly told people close to him that he was disappointed not to start a number of important fixtures.

PSG’s position is firm: renew or we will sell – his contract expires in June 2028. When it comes to Arsenal’s interest, reliable reports suggest that Gunners Sporting Director Andrea Berta made serious enquiries into Barcola’s situation last summer. At the time, Arsenal were informed he would stay for at least one more year. Since then, Berta has remained in constant contact and made it clear that Barcola is of serious interest to Arsenal. He has also asked to be notified if PSG become open to a sale. Arsenal also hold an interest in Morgan Rogers and Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis as left-wing targets.

Would Liverpool or Arsenal be better for Bradley Barcola?

When it comes to where Barcola would best fit and what would be the better move for his own personal development, arguments can be made for both sides. Liverpool’s front three is in need of a lot of work this summer, but the biggest gap comes off of the right wing – now being vacated by Salah. Whilst Barcola’s versatility to play off of either wing could be seen as a plus point for the Reds, his best position is off of the left-wing where he can cut in on his right foot. Here, Liverpool already have Cody Gakpo and young Rio Ngumoha. Where as for Arsenal, the position they need to fill or upgrade the most is on the left-wing.

Where can Barcola himself flourish the most? Mikel Arteta has proved himself to be an incredible tactician and his detailed approach has led to Arsenal winning the league for the first time in 22 years. However, one criticism of his system is that it can lead to players being slightly robotic – taming flair for positional discipline. Playing the percentages. This could perhaps take something away from Barcola’s game.

However, it may just be that Arteta isn’t working with the best wingers off the left so that is the best way to play and if a player like Barcola comes in, he may be granted more freedom. New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has already worked wonders with young attackers such as Antoine Semenyo and Junior Kroupi. The battle for Barcola could be one of the most crucial when it comes to the Premier League title race next season.