Arsenal remain keen on acquiring French winger Bradley Barcola after their bid for Morgan Rogers fell through, according to Sky Sports News correspondent Dharmesh Sheth. The Gunners have been forced to explore alternative options to reinforce their attacking line‑up after their primary target, Morgan Rogers, completed a £117 million move from Aston Villa to Chelsea—a sum that sets a new benchmark for a British player.
Earlier this summer, Sky Sports reported that Paris Saint‑Germain might be prepared to let Barcola depart if a suitable offer emerges. Sheth highlighted Barcola’s potential during a special Sky Sports podcast that dissected Arsenal’s transfer activity to date, noting that the 23‑year‑old’s situation could change rapidly.
"Barcola is definitely a player to keep an eye on," Sheth said on the podcast. "PSG are also heavily interested in Yan Diomande and are working to secure a deal that would bolster their own attacking options." The possible transfer of RB Leipzig’s Diomande could accelerate Barcola’s exit from the French capital. Diomande, also 23, has attracted interest from Liverpool and has already made a mark on the international stage, scoring three goals in eight appearances for France at the recent World Cup. This competition for places adds another layer of uncertainty to Barcola’s future at PSG.
In the same discussion, Sheth reminded listeners of PSG’s recent high‑profile Champions League fixtures. He recalled the club’s quarter‑final clash with Liverpool, the semi‑final against Bayern Munich, and the final in Budapest, where players such as Kévin Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doué featured prominently. Barcola, by contrast, was largely absent from those crucial games.
"The question now is whether Barcola will be content to repeat that role next season," Sheth continued. "And if Diomande also arrives, where will Barcola sit in the hierarchy?" Sheth concluded that a player of Barcola’s profile could be an excellent fit for Arsenal, especially if the club can secure a deal that aligns with their tactical needs and financial parameters. Arsenal’s failure to land Rogers leaves a clear gap in their plan to sign a marquee forward.
Nevertheless, the club has already agreed on a £34 million fee with Club Brugge for winger Christos Tzolis, who is expected to fill the void left by the departure of Leandro Trossard. Tzolis brings pace, creativity and a proven goal‑scoring record, offering Arsenal a viable alternative while they continue to hunt for a high‑profile striker. Sporting director Andrea Berta continues to employ his distinctive, multi‑target strategy when dealing with transfer prospects.
Sheth explained that Arsenal no longer adopt a single‑player‑focus approach, which he described as overly risky. Instead, the club identifies three or four potential candidates for each position they wish to strengthen. "They line up a shortlist of four players, progress negotiations with each, and then evaluate which option provides the best value both on and off the pitch," Sheth said.
"After that, they consult with Mikel Arteta and the rest of the recruitment team to decide which player to ultimately sign." Regarding Rogers, Sheth noted that while the £117 million price tag proved too steep for Arsenal, the missed opportunity does not signal the end of their transfer window. "Arsenal have other deals in the pipeline and will revert to those options," he asserted. In summary, Barcola emerges as a promising candidate for Arsenal’s next signing, particularly if PSG decide to offload him in favour of Diomande or other targets.
The club’s broader recruitment philosophy, championed by Berta, emphasizes depth, flexibility and value, meaning that even without Rogers, Arsenal have multiple pathways to strengthen their squad. With Tzolis already on the way and several other prospects under consideration, the Gunners are poised to remain active in the market as the season approaches, aiming to assemble a balanced and competitive roster for the challenges ahead.