Arsenal ready to rival Liverpool for Barcola after turning attention away from Vini Jr deal
Arsenal could reportedly shift their attention towards a possible move for Bradley Barcola after their hopes of signing Vinicius Junior appear to be fading.
However, the Gunners could face a difficult battle to beat Liverpool to the French winger, although there is still a belief that a deal could potentially be possible.
With Real Madrid increasingly confident that Vinicius will agree to a new and improved contract, Arsenal are expected to explore alternative attacking options. According to a recent report from talkSPORT, failing to land the Brazilian star could see Mikel Arteta’s side revisit their interest in Barcola, despite Liverpool currently being considered favourites for his signature.
The report claimed: “If their pursuit of Vinicius Junior fails, do not be surprised to see Arsenal turn their focus towards Bradley Barcola. The France international has rejected multiple contract proposals from PSG.
“His preferred destination appears to be Liverpool, but a move to the Premier League champions would also be an attractive option.”
Arsenal’s interest in Barcola is not new, with the winger previously linked with a move to the Emirates earlier in the summer. The 23-year-old may not have the same profile as Vinicius, but he remains a top-class talent who could provide a major upgrade over the inconsistent Gabriel Martinelli.
Liverpool must act quickly in Barcola pursuit
Liverpool are still believed to be leading the race for Barcola, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano repeatedly reporting links between the player and the Reds.
However, transfer deals are never guaranteed until officially completed, and Liverpool supporters will remember previous situations where the club appeared to be in control before late twists changed everything.
The Reds have already experienced similar setbacks in past transfer battles, while Arsenal recently saw Chelsea overtake them in the race for Morgan Rogers after appearing to be in a strong position.
If Vinicius is no longer a realistic target, Barcola would represent a strong alternative for Arsenal. The Gunners could attempt to hijack Liverpool’s move, meaning the Reds may need to accelerate negotiations to avoid losing out on one of Europe’s most exciting attackers.
