Louis Saha has identified Bradley Barcola as the perfect replacement for Leandro Trossard at Arsenal and has urged the Gunners to beat Liverpool in the race to sign the Paris Saint-Germain winger. Trossard, who cost £27 million from Brighton three-and-a-half years ago, has been granted a move to Besiktas for £20 million after the World Cup, having played a crucial role in Arsenal's first title-winning campaign in 22 years.
Arsenal's forward targets
Mikel Arteta had been keen to add to his forward line even before sanctioning Trossard's departure and has identified several high-profile targets. Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers is said to be keen on a move to the Premier League champions, while Arsenal are also exploring a move for Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. Additionally, Arsenal are keeping tabs on PSG's Bradley Barcola, who may seek a fresh challenge after slipping down Luis Enrique's pecking order last season.
Liverpool interest and competition
Liverpool are also monitoring Barcola, who will face even greater competition for a starting spot with the impending arrival of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. One of Andoni Iraola's first tasks as Liverpool manager will be to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah's departure. However, Saha believes Barcola would be best served by moving to Arsenal.
Saha's endorsement
“Bradley Barcola is a terrific player,” Saha told LiveFootballTickets. “He has already won two Champions Leagues, and he could even win the World Cup over the next few weeks. His achievements for such a young player are staggering. He has become a much improved player over the past few seasons, he gets better and better every year, and he can go right to the very top of football. What Barcola needs is to move somewhere where he is going to be first choice in his position week in, week out. His confidence will improve ten-fold once that happens, and then he will be a way more dangerous player. If he gets a move to Arsenal, he would be unbelievable on the left-hand side for them. His talent precedes him, and he has the ability to take any top attacking side to the next level. He has enormous potential. He is so direct, creative, and he has the ability to go in behind, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a bidding war for him go on all summer between top sides if he wants to leave PSG and cement his place in a top Premier League side.”
Impact of Trossard's departure
Trossard's move to Besiktas for £20 million marks the end of a successful stint at Arsenal, where he was considered one of the smartest signings of Arteta's tenure. His departure leaves a gap on the left flank that Arsenal are eager to fill with a player of Barcola's caliber.
