Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann thinks the Reds might be set to lose the race for PSG winger Bradley Barcola to Arsenal.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has rejected the chance to extend his contract with the Parisians, which runs until 2028, sparking a fierce battle among top Premier League clubs. Liverpool, under new boss Andoni Iraola, see Barcola as the direct replacement for Mohamed Salah, who left for Trabzonspor. However, Arsenal, having missed out on Vinicius Junior, have turned their attention to the Frenchman.
Hamann shared his thoughts:
“Can Liverpool get ahead of Arsenal in the race for Barcola? Potentially yes. The Merseysiders still have the magic of their stadium, the fans, and our history. But this lad is used to winning; he's claimed championships every year and lifted the Champions League twice with PSG. If he wants trophies next season, then Arsenal offers him a better chance of that.”
“That said, Liverpool still have a good shot, as long contracts of 4-5 years are not signed just for one season. As for Iraola, he’ll need to step away from Klopp's heavy rock approach. With the current frantic schedule, the Club World Cup, and an expanded World Cup, it’s essential to control the game with the ball, or else the players will simply drown.”
