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Liverpool agreement denied but Arsenal lag behind for PSG signing

New reports have denied that Bradley Barcola has reached a contract agreement with Liverpool, but confirmed that the Paris Saint-Germain winger is prioritising the Merseyside club.

Bradley Barcola #12 of France celebrates with teammates after scoring the 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 Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Contrary to the other reports from France on Tuesday, Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport claims Bradley Barcola hasn’t reached a contract agreement with Liverpool.

Yet Hawkins adds that Barcola has made Liverpool his priority if he leaves Paris Saint-Germain, so it seems such an agreement would be largely a formality.

Mario Cortegana had reported for The Athletic this week that Arsenal have shown interest in Barcola, but the Gunners are prioritising a possible move for Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.

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

By contrast, Liverpool have made Barcola their top target, and they’re pushing ahead with the potential transfer.

Such a fee agreement is a long way off at this stage. The Athletic report that PSG want at least €170m (£145.4m) for Barcola, a huge valuation.

L’Equipe add that Liverpool have opened talks with PSG, but the French club are remaining firm on their financial demands, leading to a significant valuation gap between the two.

The upside of those stalling negotiations from an Arsenal perspective is that it’s unlikely Liverpool will be able to quickly secure a deal while the Gunners wait on Vinicius’ contract extension decision.

paris saint germain v fc internazionale milano uefa champions league final 2025 2
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

The concern is that if Vinicius opts to stay at Real Madrid, Arsenal will then be lagging significantly behind Liverpool in the race for Barcola.

Even if PSG then lower their demands and Arsenal are willing to match whatever Liverpool will pay, Barcola is evidently going to prioritise the club that prioritised him.

If Arsenal’s move for Vinicius doesn’t come off, having already missed out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, and with Barcola favouring Liverpool, it’s not clear where the club would turn next for a top attacking addition.

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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