Emmanuel Petit Predicts Liverpool Will Win Barcola Race

Emmanuel Petit expects Liverpool to win one of the summer’s fiercest transfer battles – and still fall short of the Premier League’s top four.

The former Arsenal midfielder believes Bradley Barcola is more likely to end up at Anfield than the Emirates, even with Paris Saint-Germain demanding well over £100 million for the France international.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal are scouring the market for a wide forward before the window shuts on September 1, and Barcola sits high on each club’s list. The 23-year-old is poised to leave PSG after talks over a new deal stalled, and interest from England has only intensified as the stand-off has dragged on.

Liverpool have been in front for some time. Barcola is understood to favour a move to Merseyside, and personal terms are already in place. The sticking point is the fee: FSG are reluctant to go to PSG’s £130m (€151m) valuation.

Arsenal, by contrast, have arrived later to the chase. Their interest has sharpened after the departure of Leandro Trossard and with Gabriel Martinelli also expected to move on. The left flank at the Emirates is being rebuilt on the fly.

Yet Petit, speaking to Grosvenor Sport, sees a clearer path for Barcola in red – just not Arsenal red.

“Arsenal have just signed Christos Tzolis, who has made a big impression so far, he was brilliant in the Community Shield,” Petit 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.”

For Petit, the logic is simple: Arsenal have already moved aggressively, landing Tzolis from Club Brugge and watching him hit the ground running. Liverpool, under Andoni Iraola, still look light in the wide positions and lack a natural solution on the left.

The pressure finally told in his assessment. If Barcola wants to walk straight into a role and address an obvious weakness, Liverpool is the move that makes more sense.

Petit unconvinced by Liverpool’s top-four credentials

His admiration for Barcola does not extend to Liverpool’s overall prospects.

Even if Iraola lands the PSG winger, Petit is far from convinced the new manager can drag the club back into the Champions League places at the first attempt.

The Spaniard has swapped Bournemouth for one of the game’s most demanding jobs after Arne Slot’s exit at the end of last season. It is a leap in scale, scrutiny and expectation, and Petit sees too many gaps in the current squad to be confident.

“I am still waiting to see Liverpool’s full intent in the transfer market, as they currently appear to be missing key players,” he said.

“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.”

So even with Barcola on the wing and Iraola on the touchline, Petit’s Premier League picture is stark: Arsenal pushing on, Chelsea rebounding, the Manchester clubs entrenched – and Liverpool, for now, looking in from the outside.