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Arsenal to step up interest in PSG winger this week

Arsenal are expected to step up interest in Bradley Barcola this week, and they sent scouts to watch the winger’s impressive display for France against Sweden on Tuesday.

Bradley Barcola #12 of France scores his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images

Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that Arsenal are expected to step up their interest in Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola this week, after receiving encouragement that the player could be available this summer.

Arsenal representatives were reportedly in attendance to watch Barcola play for France against Sweden on Tuesday, and the 23-year-old scored an excellent goal in the 3-0 win. He now has two goals and an assist in his four games at the tournament.

Mokbel writes that Morgan Rogers is a leading target for Arsenal, but amid Aston Villa’s £130m valuation, Barcola is emerging as a strong alternative option.

If Barcola is indeed made available by PSG, Arsenal and Liverpool will both be keen.

Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Parc des Princes on November 04, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano reports that despite claims from elsewhere that Barcola is not for sale, that’s ‘not at all’ what he’s been told. Contract talks with PSG are on standby, and have been since last summer.

If PSG end up going for Yan Diomande and Maghnes Akliouche, then Barcola’s exit could be a possibility. It would still take a significant bid, but there is movement on his case, and could leave.

Romano claims Rogers remains Arsenal’s top target at the moment, but Barcola is also on their shortlist.

Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Chelsea FC at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images

Following his 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in 2024/25, Barcola had a much quieter campaign in 2025/26, scoring 13 and assisting six.

That’s partly because he played over 1,000 minutes less football this season, with a couple of very brief injury absences and a growing sense that Luis Enrique prefers other players in the big games.

But not all sources are agreed on Barcola’s future, with David Ornstein suggesting it would take a huge bid to sign him this summer, and that PSG don’t want to sell anyway. So there’s little certainty at this stage.

Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain attempts to shoot past David Raya of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
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