Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has refused to rule out a move for Bradley Barcola amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal this summer.
Barcola has been instrumental in PSG’s success since making a move from Lyon back in 2023, racking up 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 appearances for the French giants.
In that time, the 23-year-old winger has helped the club clinch 13 pieces of silverware, including three successive Ligue 1 titles and back-to-back Champions League crowns.
However, Barcola’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, with the sought-after forward out of contract in 2028 and refusing to commit to an extension.
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Liverpool, led by new head coach Andoni Iraola, are understood to have identified Barcola as their top target to replace Mohamed Salah following the Egyptian’s departure for Trabzonspor.
Premier League champions Arsenal have also been closely monitoring developments, forced to consider alternatives in the transfer market after their six-month-long pursuit of Vinicius Junior ended in failure.
But PSG have reportedly slapped an eye-watering £145million price tag on Barcola and there is a distinct possibility that the two English heavyweights will be priced out of a deal unless these demands are relaxed significantly.
‘We’re working calmly,’ PSG chief Al-Khelaifi said when asked for an update on the situation following the side’s UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.
‘We don’t talk too much. We get things done.
‘All of our players are important. When they sign for PSG, they become important to us.’
Further pressed on whether or not Barcola will leave, Al-Khelaifi replied: ‘I can’t say today. What I can say today is that he’s a PSG player.’
While Al-Khelaifi confirmed talks were in place over Barcola’s future, he was unable to provide any more clarity on the situation.
When asked if it was a case of Liverpool failing to meet PSG’s demands, he responded: ‘We’ll see.
‘There are discussions, negotiations, we’ll see.’
Barcola was pictured celebrating with the trophy along with the rest of his team-mates after PSG’s victory, but was an unused substitute in Salzburg on the night.
The attacker is still working his way back up to full speed after a gruelling World Cup with France, which ultimately ended in disappointment as Didier Deschamps’ men were beaten at the semi-final stage by the eventual champions Spain.
He featured in all eight of Les Bleus’ contests at the tournament, finding the net versus Senegal and Sweden, and also against England in a thrilling bronze-medal match.
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