Emmanuel Petit Predicts Liverpool Will Win Barcola Battle
Liverpool and Arsenal are locked in a high‑stakes tug of war for Bradley Barcola, and Emmanuel Petit is in no doubt who needs him more – or who will get him.
The former Arsenal midfielder believes Liverpool will ultimately beat the Premier League champions to the Paris Saint‑Germain winger, even with the deal expected to soar well beyond £100million.
Liverpool and Arsenal circle Barcola
Both clubs are scouring the market for a new wide forward before the window slams shut on September 1, and Barcola has emerged as the name on both shortlists.
The 23‑year‑old France international is poised to leave back‑to‑back Champions League winners PSG after talks over a new contract stalled. Liverpool have long been seen as favourites, with Barcola understood to be keen on Anfield and personal terms already in place.
The problem is the price. FSG are digging their heels in over PSG’s £130m (€151m) valuation, a figure inflated by the money Manchester City and Chelsea have thrown at Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers earlier this summer.
Arsenal, by contrast, have arrived late to the chase. Their interest has sharpened after moving on Leandro Trossard and preparing to part ways with Gabriel Martinelli, leaving Mikel Arteta short of natural options on the left.
Petit, though, looks at the balance of both squads and sees only one logical destination.
‘Liverpool need him much more than Arsenal’
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Petit pointed straight at the emerging hierarchy in Arteta’s attack – and at one summer signing in particular.
“Arsenal have just signed Christos Tzolis, who has made a big impression so far, he was brilliant in the Community Shield,” he 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.”
In Petit's eyes, Arsenal already have a rising force in Tzolis staking a serious claim. Liverpool, under Andoni Iraola, do not enjoy that luxury on the left and are crying out for fresh dynamism in wide areas.
If the Frenchman is right, the pressure will be on Liverpool’s owners to bridge the gap between admiration and a fee PSG cannot ignore.
Petit doubts Liverpool’s top‑four credentials
Even if Liverpool do land Barcola, Petit is not convinced it will be enough to drag them back into the Champions League places at the first time of asking.
Iraola has swapped Bournemouth for Anfield after Arne Slot’s exit, a leap in expectation and scrutiny that Petit believes will bite quickly if results stutter.
“I am still waiting to see Liverpool’s full intent in the transfer market, as they currently appear to be missing key players,” he warned.
“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.”
The assessment is blunt. In Petit's projected table, Liverpool are on the outside looking in, even with a marquee wide forward through the door.
Recruitment will decide whether that prediction sticks. With Barcola on one side of the ledger and a highly rated Chile attacker also on their radar, Liverpool’s next move in the market will say plenty about how serious they are about proving Petit wrong.
