Dietmar Hamann believes Liverpool could miss out on Bradley Barcola if Arsenal step up their interest before the summer transfer deadline. The former Liverpool midfielder says the Gunners may hold a key advantage in the race for the Paris Saint-Germain winger.
Barcola's PSG Success and Transfer Speculation
Barcola, 23, has been instrumental in PSG's dominance since joining from Lyon in 2023, scoring 39 goals and providing 37 assists in 152 appearances. During that period, he has helped the club win 13 trophies, including three consecutive Ligue 1 titles and back-to-back Champions League crowns.
However, his future is uncertain as he is out of contract in 2028 and has declined to sign an extension. Liverpool, under new head coach Andoni Iraola, have reportedly made Barcola their top target to replace Mohamed Salah, who left for Trabzonspor. Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, are also monitoring the situation after failing to sign Vinicius Junior.
Hamann's Verdict on Barcola's Choice
Speaking to Andy's Bet Club, Hamann said: 'Can Liverpool beat Arsenal to Bradley Barcola? Potentially. Obviously Liverpool still have a big pull with the stadium, the fans, and the history of the club. It's a question only he can answer.'
He added: 'The only thing is, he's been at a very successful club, he's won the league pretty much every year and has won the Champions League twice in a row now. If he wants to win it a third time, he'll want to win the league next season. He probably stands a better chance at Arsenal than he does at Liverpool next season.'
Despite this, Hamann remains hopeful Liverpool have a 'fair chance' of convincing Barcola to choose Merseyside. 'What the case will be in two or three years, I do not know, but I think when you sign a contract over four or five years, you don't sign it purely on the basis of what you expect to happen next season. I think Liverpool, even if Arsenal were interested, still have a fair chance because of the club they are.'
Iraola's Challenge at Liverpool
Hamann also discussed the challenge facing Iraola in succeeding Jurgen Klopp. He said: 'Liverpool fans will probably not expect to see the same way the club played under Jurgen Klopp, even though the fans liked it. But the success he's had. When he came to the club, nobody expected anything. He transformed the team, wins the league, goes really close in the league, getting 90-plus points, winning the Champions League, getting to another final.'
He continued: 'It was just a whirlwind. He came, expectations were low. He changed the mentality not only of the fans but of the whole city because we know all the saying after four or five games, being top of the league, this is our season. I think this is the challenge that managers will have following Klopp, because even Klopp sometimes changed his heavy metal football. I think even he changed towards the end because you know if you play full throttle all the time you run out of gas at some stage.'
Hamann also noted the increased fixture congestion: 'We've got the Club World Cup now, you've got different competitions, there's an awful lot of games, an extended World Cup so the players got less rest. So I think you've got to be able to control games with the ball and I think a mixture of both is the way forward and hopefully Andoni Iraola can do that.'
Liverpool's Season Opener
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. They completed a league double over the Magpies last season, winning 3-2 at St James' Park and 4-1 at Anfield.
