Bradley Barcola passes Arsenal audition as €134m move receives major boost

Analysis

Matthew Judge | Editor

If reports are to be believed and Arsenal were on hand to watch Bradley Barcola at the World Cup on Tuesday, they will have been impressed by the France star’s performance against Sweden.

Handed just his second start at this summer’s tournament, Barcola took the opportunity with both hands by helping fire Les Bleus into the round of 16 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Replacing Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Desire Doue in the starting XI, the 23-year-old latched onto a superb through ball from Michael Olise to put France two-nil to the good against Sweden.

After scoring for the second time this tournament, having also netted in the group-stage win over Senegal, Barcola’s goal allowed France room to breathe before Kylian Mbappe wrapped up the victory late on.

And Barcola’s efforts will have been noticed by Arsenal, who - according to BBC Sport - tasked representatives with running the rule over the winger ahead of making a possible move for his services.

The same publication claims the Gunners, who are keen to strengthen out wide ahead of the 2026-27 season, have received encouragement that Barcola could be allowed to leave Ligue 1 side PSG this summer.

That information runs counter to a report in The Athletic, however, who believe PSG have no interest in selling Barcola, who they value at more than the €134million (£116m) Manchester City are spending on Elliot Anderson.

While it remains to be seen whether Barcola is up for sale or not, one thing that cannot be doubted is the forward’s ability, with France boss Didier Deschamps facing a welcome headache for the rest of the World Cup.

Barcola's dribbling catches the eye against Sweden

Barcola or Doue - who does Deschamps start in France’s last-16 clash with Paraguay on Saturday? It’s a nice problem to have as both players continue to make their case to be a regular fixture.

Doue opened up his goalscoring account in France’s 4-1 win over Norway in their final Group I fixture, taking the joint-most shots (4) with a 75 per cent accuracy rate (3/4) in Boston.

However, with Doue more suited to playing on the right flank - as he does with club side PSG - Barcola has looked more natural on the left at the World Cup - something he has been able to demonstrate with his dribbling.

The former Lyon attacker completed the joint-most dribbles (3) against Graham Potter’s Sweden, which enabled him to take the joint-most touches (6) inside the opposition penalty area as well.

While this is a quality which offers France something different, it is a trait Arsenal are looking for full stop, especially down the left-hand side, despite the best efforts of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

The north Londoners have been blessed with the right-sided Bukayo Saka’s world-class wing play for several years now, but the England star could really do with a hand next season.

Boasting the best defensive setup in club football, Arsenal appear to be one or two lock pickers short of being truly unstoppable - a grand plan Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring to fruition.

And one man who appears to fit the bill is Barcola, who Arsenal fans will continue to keep a close eye on for the remainder of the tournament as an ominous-looking France looked poised to go all the way.