Mikel Arteta has signaled his desire for Arsenal to make an official offer for Bradley Barcola, a standout player from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) who recently shone at the World Cup. The 23-year-old winger has been under the spotlight for some time, especially after helping PSG win the Champions League last season. His performance in the final against Arteta’s team was particularly notable, as he played a key role in their victory.
Barcola had an outstanding season with PSG and continued his form during France’s opening match of the World Cup, where he scored the second goal in a 3-1 win over Senegal. This success has made him a target for several top clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool.
Reports suggest that Arsenal have been monitoring Barcola's situation even before their clash with PSG in the Champions League final. Recently, there were claims that Barcola expressed a desire to move to a new club this summer. Meanwhile, Liverpool has also shown interest, with new manager Andoni Iraola aiming to bring in two forwards for the upcoming season.
However, Arsenal is expected to be a strong contender for Barcola's signature. According to The Independent, Arteta has emphasized Barcola as a top priority for the club's management. The Gunners are reportedly reviewing the necessary details before making an official bid to PSG.
Despite winning their first Premier League title since 2004 and reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal faced criticism for lacking creativity in the final third of the pitch. To address this, Arteta is looking to sign at least two new forwards this summer. Barcola is seen as a potential upgrade over players like Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
French World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf has praised Barcola's abilities, noting his pace and talent
Leboeuf believes that Arsenal would be an interesting destination for Barcola. "He is a great option for them," he added. "But would Arsenal be interested in him on the left wing? It looks like Gabriel Martinelli might be moving on, so that could be something."
In addition to targeting Barcola, Arsenal is also interested in other players such as England midfielder Morgan Rogers and Argentina striker Julian Alvarez.
When discussing the club's transfer plans towards the end of last season, Josh Kroenke mentioned that the business never stops. "Right now there are already other teams who are trying to strengthen and come at us for next season. We need to be aware of that," he said.
"We’ve already had a few different conversations about different areas where we think we can improve on and off the pitch. I am looking forward to getting that going this summer, but it’s going to be an interesting one because of the World Cup. Fortunately, everyone is coming to the United States, so I don’t have to travel."