Liverpool handed huge boost in Bradley Barcola pursuit but Premier League rivals urged to hijack move

Liverpool are in pole position to sign Bradley Barcola but Andy Brassell thinks Arsenal should hijack the move.

talkSPORT understands that the French international is a top target for the Reds, and he is expected to depart Paris Saint-Germain before the close of the transfer window.

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However, after missing out on Vinicius Junior, the Gunners need another left-sided forward.

Arsenal had the capacity to make a move for the Brazilian, although this was never formalised, but he signed a new six-year deal at the Bernabeu instead.

But with Liverpool hesitating over PSG’s asking price of between £130m and £140million, Brassell thinks Mikel Arteta‘s side should be all over it.

Speaking on The Transfer Insiders with Ben Fletcher and Jacob Hawley, Brassell said: “I know Liverpool seem to be in front for him, but if I am Arsenal, I chuck everything at him because he is the player out there who can really elevate them in a position they’ve needed to improve for a long time.

“He would take them up a level, and when you are in Arsenal’s position of being one of the best teams in Europe, it is so difficult to get players who can actually make you better.

“I am not even sure that Bruno Guimaraes does that, but Barcola definitely would.”

Comedian and huge Arsenal fan Hawley then wanted to know if Barcola is suited for the Premier League.

Brassell responded: “We have seen with France that he is able to deal with deep back lines, and that is what he has been doing with PSG every week in Ligue 1.

“So, he is useful against half-dead defenders on the counter-attack, but there is a lot more to his game as well.

“He’s been playing for teams that are expected to win very week since the beginning of his career.

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“I honestly think Barcola is more suited to what Arsenal are trying to do than Vinicius Junior.

“Vini needs a team built around him, Barcola, not so much. I think he fits what Arsenal are doing very nicely.”

Outrageous fee?

Liverpool have spent huge money over the past 12 months with moves worth over £100million for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.

The Reds are hoping to reach a compromise with PSG, but if they don’t, Brassell thinks the fee is more than fair.

“I think that’s fair enough because you are looking at a guy who already produces at a very high level,” he added.

“He’s 24 and the ceiling is pretty high – he can get loads better.

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“Goalscoring is not the main string to his bow, but he gets in double figures every season, but he can stretch the game, go both ways, beat a full-back and deliver the right ball.

“The coaching staff at PSG think that with the right work, they can turn him into a 30 goals a season guy, but he’ll never get that chance at PSG.

“They have Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is pretty close to being the best player in the world, so he can’t complain about being behind him.

“But it has really stunted Barcola’s development. He is not a better player than he was two years ago.

“What we have found is he has more ways to influence the game off the bench like he did with France during the World Cup.”

Definitely moving

Barcola will be leaving the French capital this summer with PSG set to bring in two attacking options.

A deal between Barcelona and the champions of Europe is close to being concluded for Ferran Torres.

They’ve already signed Maghnes Akliouche as well, suggesting one of their forward players will have to depart.

Desire Doue starts more than Barcola, so it makes it likely to be the 23-year-old to be the one allowed to leave.