Arsenal, Liverpool Summer Target Would Bench Bradley Barcola, Claims Pundit | OneFootball

Bradley Barcola started this 2024-25 season to a fantastic start, but one pundit believes that Paris Saint-Germain can improve that left-wing position despite the young standout’s emergence.

When Kylian Mbappé left PSG for Real Madrid, the Parisians didn’t opt to aggressively pursuit a left-winger and let Barcola take the reigns. So far, he’s responded with six goals in nine appearances this campaign.

Despite this performance, one pundit believes that the only reason Barcola has playing time is because the Parisians didn’t pursue any competition for him.

On After Foot RMC, Daniel Riolo notes that if PSG had pursued other targets that could play the left wing, Barcola would be coming off the bench.

“He is improving because he has no competition; if [Ademola] Lookman signs, Barcola will end up on the bench!” Riolo said (h/t Le10Sport). “If they bring in Nico Williams, he’ll go to the bench! He’s playing because they got rid of the stars. Even a non-star would have taken his spot.”

In the closing days of the transfer window, Lookman attracted interest from multiple clubs, not just PSG. Arsenal and Liverpool were also keen on the 26-year-old. Since joining Atalanta in 2022, he’s made a significant impact.

This week, a new report revealed that the Atalanta player is still open to a new challenge, with a potential winter move on the horizon. It will be interesting to see if PSG decide to revisit this file when the January transfer window opens.