Emmanuel Petit Backs Liverpool Over Arsenal in Barcola Deal
Emmanuel Petit believes Liverpool, not Arsenal, are the club who truly need Bradley Barcola – and he expects the Merseysiders to win what could become one of the defining transfer battles of the summer.
Both Premier League giants are circling the PSG and France winger as the window ticks towards its September 1 deadline. Both want a new wide player. Both see Barcola as the answer.
The price is brutal. PSG are holding out for around £130million (€151m), a figure swollen by the fees Manchester City and Chelsea have paid for Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers in recent weeks. Barcola, 23, is poised to leave the back-to-back Champions League winners after talks over a new deal stalled, and the market around him has exploded.
Liverpool have been in position the longest. Barcola is understood to favour a move to Anfield, personal terms are already in place, and the player’s camp has been waiting for the clubs to find common ground. For now, FSG are pushing back against PSG’s valuation, wary of being dragged into a bidding war that suits only the sellers.
Arsenal have arrived later to the chase. Their interest sharpened once Leandro Trossard was moved on and plans were put in motion to part ways with Gabriel Martinelli. On paper, that opens a lane for a new left-sided attacker. In reality, Petit sees a different picture.
Petit: Liverpool need Barcola more than Arsenal
The former Arsenal midfielder, speaking to Grosvenor Sport, pointed straight at Mikel Arteta’s latest recruit as a key reason why Barcola should look elsewhere.
“Arsenal have just signed Christos Tzolis, who has made a big impression so far, he was brilliant in the Community Shield,” Petit said.
“With Martinelli leaving and Trossard no longer at the club, they likely need another option on the left side.
If they were to bring in Barcola, it would be difficult for both players to secure a spot in the starting eleven.”
Tzolis has hit the ground running since his move from Club Brugge, staking an early claim for that left channel. Petit doesn’t see Barcola walking into that role without a fight, and that is where Liverpool come back into focus.
“That said, I am a huge fan of Barcola. I believe Liverpool need him much more than Arsenal.
They definitely need to strengthen their wide areas, particularly on the left flank, they have had problems there since the start of last season.”
That is the crux of Petit's argument. Arsenal may want Barcola; Liverpool, in his eyes, are the club that actually need him. With the Reds’ left side still unsettled and depth an issue, a player of Barcola’s profile – direct, quick, and comfortable operating high and wide – would plug a glaring gap in Andoni Iraola’s squad.
Liverpool’s hierarchy know it. PSG know it. The stalemate rests on how far FSG are willing to stretch for a player they see as a long-term cornerstone, and how long Arsenal are prepared to wait before turning interest into something more concrete.
Top-four doubts hang over Iraola’s Liverpool
Even if Liverpool do get Barcola over the line, Petit is not convinced it will be enough to drag them back into the Champions League places at the first time of asking under Iraola.
The Spaniard has swapped Bournemouth for one of the most scrutinised jobs in world football, stepping into the void left by Arne Slot’s departure at the end of last season. It is a huge leap in expectation, and Petit suspects the squad is not yet ready for the climb.
“I am still waiting to see Liverpool’s full intent in the transfer market, as they currently appear to be missing key players,” he said.
“They have a new manager in Iraola, and adjusting to the scale of Liverpool after Bournemouth is a big transition.
“Liverpool need results immediately.
“Ultimately, I see the top four being Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Liverpool may find it tough again this year.”
That prediction will sting on Merseyside. Petit is effectively placing Liverpool outside the Champions League picture before a ball has been kicked in anger under Iraola, highlighting both the scale of the rebuild and the unforgiving nature of the league’s current elite.
Liverpool are working to answer those doubts. Alongside the Barcola pursuit, a fresh report suggests the club are also targeting a highly rated Chile attacker as they look to inject more cutting edge into their forward line.
The intent is clear enough: refresh the attack, back the new manager, and close the gap quickly. The question now is whether Liverpool are prepared to go all the way – financially and strategically – to land Barcola and reshape a squad that Petit still believes is short of a top-four standard.
