Arsenal handed huge boost in bid to sign €150m forward as agreement reached

News

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Barcelona forward Ferran Torres has reportedly reached an agreement in principle to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer, which could help Arsenal complete the signing of top target Bradley Barcola.

Torres has just one year remaining on his current contract at Barcelona and he has now agreed a five-year deal with PSG, who are keen to submit an official bid to Hansi Flick’s side shortly as they look to finalise a move for the 26-year-old.

That is according to transfer reporter Nicolo Schira, who claims that Torres is ready to leave Camp Nou ahead of the 2026-27 season and has chosen to join PSG after being approached by two Premier League clubs.

Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have both been linked with a move for the Spain international in recent months, but he wants to join PSG instead and talks over a summer switch are likely to intensify after the conclusion of the World Cup.

Torres scored 21 goals in 49 games across all competitions last season, and his potential move to PSG could help Arsenal in their bid to bring Barcola to the Emirates Stadium as a replacement for Leandro Trossard, who is expected to join Besiktas for a fee of €20 million.

Analysis: Will Bradley Barcola join Arsenal?

With Torres set to sign for PSG and the Parisians also interested in both Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig) and Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco), there is a strong chance that Barcola could be allowed to depart.

French outlet L’Equipe claim that a fee of €150m will be needed to lure the 23-year-old away from the Parc des Princes, with Luis Enrique’s side eager to avoid a sale, but contract extension talks are yet to lead to a resolution and Barcola himself is reportedly considering his future at the club.

The France winger made 49 appearances across all competitions last season, but he wasn’t included in the starting XI for any of their final five Champions League matches of the campaign - with Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia preferred by Enrique - and he could push to leave before the summer window closes on 1 September.

It’s understood that Arsenal and Liverpool are both keeping close tabs on Barcola’s situation ahead of a possible summer move, with the former eager to secure the signing of a new starting left winger and the latter keen to bolster their forward ranks following the departure of club legend Mohamed Salah on a Bosman deal.

Arsenal are also keen to sign Aston Villa superstar Morgan Rogers, but Barcola is wanted by the north London giants and negotiations over a transfer could take place once he returns from international duty with France at the World Cup.