Arsenal prepare £70m bid for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola
Arsenal are preparing a £70m bid for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola as they look to strengthen their attacking options this summer.
The Gunners are seeking an instant impact signing to build upon their Premier League title success and recent Champions League final appearance.
Barcola has entered the final two years of his contract in the French capital.
The 23-year-old reportedly desires guaranteed starting opportunities, which current manager Luis Enrique cannot promise.
Valuation gap and intense competition
An initial £70m offer from North London may not immediately force Paris St-Germain to sanction a sale.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions reportedly value the lightning-fast forward closer to the £86.7m mark.
Mikel Arteta’s side will also face a highly crowded market should the Frenchman become officially available.
Domestic rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all closely monitoring the situation.
European heavyweights Barcelona and Bayern Munich have also been credited with a strong interest in the attacker.
Solving a tactical dilemma
Acquiring a natural left-sided specialist would resolve a persistent tactical issue for the English champions.
While Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard thrive in tight combinations on the right flank, the left wing often requires a player comfortable holding width in isolation.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard possess excellent qualities, but neither offers the elite one-on-one creative profile that Barcola provides.
One of the best wingers in the world.
Alongside their pursuit of established quality, the North London club remain active in identifying emerging talent.
Discussions are ongoing regarding Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga, while Club Brugge wide man Christos Tzolis is another targeted prospect.
