Emmanuel Petit Predicts Liverpool to Win Barcola Signing Battle
Emmanuel Petit expects Liverpool to beat Arsenal to the blockbuster signing of Bradley Barcola this summer – and still fall short of the Premier League’s top four.
The former Arsenal midfielder believes the PSG winger is tailor-made for Anfield, even as Liverpool’s owners hesitate over a fee that could soar beyond £100m and towards Paris Saint-Germain’s £130m (€151m) valuation.
Barcola, 23, has emerged as one of the most coveted wide forwards in Europe, with contract talks at PSG stalling and both Liverpool and Arsenal searching for a new winger before the window shuts on September 1.
Liverpool have pushed hardest and longest. Barcola is understood to be keen on the move, personal terms are already in place, yet FSG have so far refused to hit PSG’s asking price.
Arsenal, by contrast, have arrived late to the chase. Their interest has sharpened after the sale of Leandro Trossard and with Gabriel Martinelli also expected to depart, leaving Mikel Arteta short on the left side.
Petit: Liverpool need Barcola more than Arsenal
Petit, though, sees a very different picture when he looks at the two squads.
“Arsenal have just signed Christos Tzolis, who has made a big impression so far, he was brilliant in the Community Shield,” he told Grosvenor Sport.
With Tzolis already catching the eye and operating from the left, Petit questions how Barcola would fit into Arteta’s starting XI on a regular basis.
“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.”
The admiration for Barcola is clear. The Frenchman sees him as a potential game-changer – just not one Arsenal desperately need.
“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.”
Liverpool’s left side has looked increasingly fragile and over-reliant on existing options, and Petit feels Andoni Iraola’s system would lean heavily on a powerful, direct wide threat like Barcola to stretch defences and restore balance.
Iraola’s Liverpool still “missing key players”
Even so, Petit does not believe that winning the race for Barcola would suddenly transform Liverpool into title or even top-four certainties.
The Spaniard has traded Bournemouth for one of the most pressurised jobs in European football after Arne Slot’s departure, and Petit senses a squad still short in crucial areas.
“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.”
That urgency shapes his prediction for the season. Even with Barcola in red, Petit is unconvinced Liverpool can keep pace with the clubs he believes are better equipped.
“Ultimately, I see the top four being Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Liverpool may find it tough again this year.”
So while Liverpool may yet win one of the summer’s most expensive transfer battles, Petit’s verdict is blunt: the real fight, the one for Champions League football, could still be a step too far.
