Emmanuel Petit Predicts Liverpool to Sign Barcola but Doubts Top-Four Chances

Emmanuel Petit expects Liverpool to beat Arsenal to Bradley Barcola’s signature in what would be one of the blockbusters of the summer – yet he still doesn’t see the Reds as a top-four side this season.

The former Arsenal midfielder believes the France international is a far better fit for Andoni Iraola’s project at Anfield than for Mikel Arteta’s increasingly stacked forward line in north London.

Liverpool and Arsenal locked on Barcola

Both Liverpool and Arsenal are scouring the market for a new wide forward before the window closes on September 1, and they’ve converged on the same target: PSG’s Bradley Barcola.

The 23-year-old, a Champions League winner in each of the last two seasons, looks set to leave Paris after talks over a new deal stalled. Liverpool have been leading the chase for some time, with Barcola understood to favour a move to Anfield and personal terms already in place.

The problem is the price. PSG are holding out for around £130million (€151m), a valuation inflated by the money Manchester City and Chelsea have thrown at wide players this summer, notably for Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers. FSG are reluctant to go that high, wary of being dragged into an arms race.

Arsenal have arrived later to the table. Having already sold Leandro Trossard and prepared the ground for Gabriel Martinelli’s exit, they have turned their attention to Barcola as a potential replacement on the left.

Petit, though, sees a very different picture.

Petit: Liverpool need Barcola more than Arsenal

Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Petit pointed to Arsenal’s recent business as a key reason why Barcola might find the Emirates a more complicated destination.

“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.

“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, with Tzolis already hitting the ground running and Arteta’s attack well stocked, can absorb the loss of Trossard and the impending departure of Martinelli with more flexibility. Liverpool, still searching for a reliable, long-term option on the left and looking to refresh their forward line, cannot.

Barcola, in Petit's eyes, walks into a bigger role at Anfield than he would in north London.

Doubts over Liverpool’s top-four credentials

Even if Liverpool do land Barcola in a deal that would soar past £100m, Petit is far from convinced it will be enough to drag them back into the Champions League places.

The Frenchman believes Iraola, who left Bournemouth to replace Arne Slot at the end of last season, has inherited a squad with too many gaps to realistically chase the league’s elite over a full campaign.

“I am still waiting to see Liverpool’s full intent in the transfer market, as they currently appear to be missing key players,” Petit 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.”

It is a stark assessment. In Petit's projected table, Liverpool are on the outside looking in, even with a marquee winger potentially arriving.

Liverpool’s recruitment drive is not finished. A fresh report claims the club are also pushing for a highly rated Chile attacker as Iraola looks to reshape his forward options.

The question now is blunt: even if FSG blink first on PSG’s £130m demand and Barcola pulls on a red shirt, will that be enough to haul Liverpool back among the Premier League’s heavyweights, or is this rebuild only just getting started?