Arsenal remain keen on French winger Bradley Barcola after their primary pursuit, Morgan Rogers, completed a £117 million move to Chelsea—a sum that set a new record for a British footballer. Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth revealed that the Gunners are now exploring alternative options to reinforce their attacking line‑up, with Barcola emerging as a plausible candidate. According to a Sky Sports podcast dedicated to dissecting Arsenal's transfer activity this summer, Barcola has attracted attention because Paris Saint‑Germain might be prepared to let him depart if a suitable bid materialises. Sheth highlighted the player’s potential, stating, “Barcola is someone to watch.” The French club’s willingness to consider his exit could create a timely opportunity for the London side, especially as they reassess their forward‑line strategy following the loss of their top target.
The situation is further complicated by PSG’s interest in another young talent, Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig. The German side’s midfielder is reportedly the subject of a serious approach from the French giants, who hope to add him to their attacking options. Should Diomande secure a move to Paris, the dynamics at PSG could shift, potentially accelerating Barcola’s departure.
The 23‑year‑old Barcola, who has already impressed on the international stage with three goals in eight appearances for France at the recent World Cup, has also been linked with Liverpool, adding another layer of competition for his signature. Sheth’s analysis also touched on PSG’s recent high‑profile fixtures.
He noted that in the club’s biggest matches over the past season – the Champions League quarter‑final against Liverpool, the semi‑final versus Bayern Munich, and the final against Arsenal in Budapest – the starting eleven featured the likes of Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doué. Barcola, by contrast, was absent from those line‑ups, prompting the question of whether he would be content with a similar role at PSG next season. Moreover, if Diomande also arrives, Barcola’s place in the pecking order could become uncertain, making a move to Arsenal an attractive proposition for both player and club. Arsenal’s failure to secure Rogers leaves a clear gap in their plans for 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 departing Leandro Trossard. This indicates that the Gunners are not standing still; they are actively pursuing multiple avenues to bolster their attacking options. Sporting director Andrea Berta continues to employ his distinctive, multi‑target approach to transfers. Sheth explained that since Berta’s arrival, Arsenal have abandoned a single‑player focus in favour of a broader strategy that mitigates risk.
"They work on three or four candidates for each position," he said. "They line up deals with all of them, progress negotiations as far as possible, and then evaluate which option offers the best value on and off the pitch." This method involves extensive internal discussion, including input from manager Mikel Arteta and other recruitment stakeholders. The goal is to identify the most suitable and cost‑effective signing rather than simply chasing a headline name.
While Rogers was the primary target, Arsenal were unwilling to stretch to the £117 million price tag, a stance that ultimately saw the player slip away to Chelsea. However, Berta’s philosophy means the window is far from a lost cause; the club has other prospects in the pipeline that could be activated now that the top choice is no longer available. In summary, Bradley Barcola has emerged as a viable alternative for Arsenal after the setback with Rogers.
PSG’s potential willingness to sell, combined with the club’s broader recruitment framework, positions Barcola as a realistic candidate to strengthen the Gunners’ attack. Meanwhile, the club’s ongoing pursuit of other forwards, such as Christos Tzolis, underscores a proactive approach to rebuilding their front line.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Arsenal fans can expect further developments as the club navigates multiple options to assemble a competitive squad for the upcoming season.