Arsenal continue to keep an eye on French winger Bradley Barcola after their primary pursuit, Morgan Rogers, chose to join Chelsea in a landmark £117 million transfer from Aston Villa. The move, which set a new record for a British player, left the Gunners scrambling for alternative options to reinforce their attacking line‑up. According to Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth, Arsenal have not abandoned their interest in Barcola and see him as a viable candidate to fill the void left by Rogers.
Sheth discussed the situation on a special Sky Sports podcast dedicated to reviewing Arsenal's activity in the current transfer window. He highlighted that Paris Saint‑Germain, Barcola's current club, may be prepared to let the 23‑year‑old depart if a suitable offer materialises.
"Barcola is definitely a player to watch," Sheth said during the broadcast. "If the right bid comes in, PSG could be willing to negotiate his exit." The potential departure of PSG’s defensive midfielder Yan Diomande, who is also linked with a move to RB Leipzig, could further accelerate Barcola’s exit. Diomande’s possible transfer would open up additional space in the French side’s attacking ranks, making Barcola a more attractive prospect for clubs looking to add pace and creativity on the wings. Barcola has already attracted interest from Liverpool and has demonstrated his quality on the international stage, scoring three goals in eight appearances for France during the World Cup.
Sheth also noted PSG’s recent high‑profile matches, such as the Champions League quarter‑final against Liverpool, the semi‑final against Bayern Munich, and the final against Arsenal in Budapest. In those games, key players like Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doué featured prominently, while Barcola was conspicuously absent.
This raises two important questions for Arsenal: would Barcola be content to repeat a season where he was not a regular starter, and how would his standing be affected if Diomande also joins the squad? "If you look back at last season’s biggest fixtures for PSG, Barcola was the odd man out," Sheth explained.
"Should Diomande also arrive, Barcola could find himself lower down the pecking order, which is something Arsenal need to consider when assessing his fit within their system." Despite missing out on Rogers, Arsenal have already moved to secure a £34 million deal with Club Brugge for winger Christos Tzolis. Tzolis is expected to provide immediate depth on the flanks and serve as a partial replacement for the departed Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners’ sporting director, Andrea Berta, continues to employ his distinctive, multi‑target approach to recruitment, preferring to line up several candidates for each position rather than placing all their hopes on a single player. Sheth praised Berta’s strategy, stating that Arsenal’s transfer methodology under his guidance has shifted away from a “one‑player‑and‑that’s‑it” mentality.
Instead, the club now works on a shortlist of three or four prospects for each role, advancing negotiations with all of them simultaneously. This approach allows Arsenal to compare value both on and off the pitch before making a final decision.
"They line up multiple options, get as far as possible with each, and then step back to evaluate which deal offers the best overall value," Sheth said. "After that, they discuss the options with Mikel Arteta and the rest of the recruitment team to decide which player to sign." While Rogers remained the top priority, his departure does not signal the end of Arsenal’s ambitions. Sheth emphasized that the club was never prepared to meet the £117 million price tag, and missing out on Rogers is a setback rather than a catastrophe.
Arsenal have already been quietly working on alternative deals, and Barcola now features prominently among those possibilities. In summary, Bradley Barcola emerges as a strong candidate for Arsenal’s next signing. His speed, technical ability, and experience at both club and international level align with the qualities the Gunners seek to add to their attack. If PSG decides to entertain offers and if Arsenal can present a compelling financial package, Barcola could very well become the next name on Arsenal’s transfer list, helping to fill the gap left by Morgan Rogers while complementing the incoming talent such as Christos Tzolis.
The club’s multi‑target strategy, guided by Andrea Berta and overseen by Mikel Arteta, ensures that Arsenal remain proactive in the market, keeping their options open and maximizing value in the pursuit of a competitive squad for the upcoming season.