Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal – football.london’s writers have their say on whether he is the right fit for Mikel Arteta’s side
Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola is a target for Arsenal (Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Arsenal are interested in signing Bradley Barcola this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to improve his squad ahead of the 2026/27 season, football.london understands. The Paris Saint-Germain winger is said to want to leave the French champions as he searches for regular game time elsewhere.
It’s understood the Gunners want to sign an attacker, midfielder and full-back in the coming months and Barcola is seen as a potential upgrade on the options already at Arteta’s disposal. The 23-year-old, who is currently part of France’s World Cup squad, scored 13 goals in 49 appearances for PSG last term and caused Arsenal problems with his blistering pace when he came off the bench in the Champions League final.
A deal is likely to cost a fair bit, however, and the CIES Football Observatory have stated that Barcola’s current market value stands at around £75million this summer.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
So, with all that said, football.london’s writers have their say on Barcola and his potential move to Arsenal…
Tom Canton
A year ago, I was completely sold on the idea of Bradley Barcola. I’d seen smatterings of the player and every time what I saw was electric pace, great skill and an eye for goal.
That enthusiasm has waned somewhat, however, with more games and more exposure to him, I have some concerns over how clinical he is and whether Arsenal would be locking themselves into another Gabriel Martinelli situation. What I mean by that is a player who threatens to be absolutely brilliant but one you can tell might never become that.
That being said, I do think that it isn’t really fair of Barcola, and he has shown more and more to the contrary. His debut goal at the World Cup against Senegal may have been just one moment, but moments matter and that helped me get on board.
He would add plenty of traits needed at Arsenal and on their left flank in particular. The dream is to have a player who can be the Bukayo Saka of the left, but that might not be possible regardless of who Arsenal sign, unless your name is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Therefore Barcola is a very decent option to consider.
Sam Truelove
Bradley Barcola would certainly get Arsenal fans excited. The 23-year-old is skilful, blessed with devastating pace and knows where the net is. What’s not to love?
At 23 years old, he has his best years ahead of him and a coach like Mikel Arteta will certainly help improve the Frenchman even further. His defensive instincts probably need work, but that’s to be expected.
With just two years left on his deal, Barcola seems destined to leave PSG this summer and the French giants may have to reluctantly cash in. That could work in Arsenal’s favour when negotiating a fee.
Jake Stokes
Bradley Barcola would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal. The Paris Saint-Germain winger is not quite the finished product, but he could quickly become one of the very best wingers in Europe with regular minutes and more responsibility, as well as exposure to greater pressure and jeopardy.
At the Parc des Princes, Barcola could remain a spare part for the champions of Europe, playing for a manager who doesn’t seem to trust him in major finals. But at the Emirates Stadium, he could be a key component in the frontline of the Premier League champions, where he’ll often be relied upon to produce big moments in big games from the first whistle.
Of course, in north London, Barcola may crumble under the greater weight of expectation to perform at the highest level two or three times a week, but that’s the risk that he and Arsenal need to take.
The Frenchman won’t be as comfortable as he would be in Paris, but a move could be the difference between being a very good player and a great player. Meanwhile, the Gunners need a top left-winger, and there aren’t many options to choose from.
Sign up for Arsenal news direct to your email inbox
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face a crucial summer transfer window if they want to reclaim the Premier League title and you can stay up to date with every breaking news story, opinion and more…
By signing up to our newsletter here, you’ll make sure you receive the best Gunners content including news, rumours, articles and fan opinions – direct into your inbox and all for free!
We also want to hear from you. Create an account here in just a few moments, so you can have your say on all things Arsenal, join the debate and take part in exclusive Q&As as well.