Liverpool have yet another reason to go after Bradley Barcola as a worrying Premier League possibility develops.
As the transfer window edges closer, Barcola’s links to Liverpool continue to circulate, but the latest reports say the Reds are hesitating. Their reason is simple enough. They do not want to block Rio Ngumoha’s path after his rapid rise into the first-team picture.
That concern is understandable, because Barcola is most comfortable in the same left-sided role. But sharing minutes between two elite talents is far better than the alternative of watching the Frenchman go to Arsenal.
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Arsenal ready to pounce on Bradley Barcola as Liverpool second-guess
Liverpool are right to think carefully about Ngumoha’s development — he looks like one of the most exciting young players to come through the club in years — but they cannot let that blind them to the bigger picture.
Barcola is exactly the kind of attacker Liverpool should be targeting. He is incredibly dangerous in one vs one situations and capable of changing a game from the left or right.
He was described as indispensable before his ankle injury against Chelsea in March, but his form has tailed off badly since. The 23-year-old has gone nine matches with no goals and one assist, while there are now questions over whether the European champions stick or twist this summer.
That should not scare Liverpool away. If anything, it makes this the right time to move. But they need to do so quickly before another club takes advantage.
The links to Arsenal (reported in L’Equipe) are the obvious danger. Mikel Arteta has been looking for an elite left-winger for years, and Barcola would fit the profile perfectly.
Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze have all done decent jobs in that area, but none have removed the sense that Arsenal can still upgrade on the left.
They are already close to where they want to be, but if they win the title this season, it will not be because their attack has been untouchable.
Viktor Gyokeres started slowly before improving, while Bukayo Saka’s output has not quite been what many would expect from the supposed best player in a title-contending side.
If Arsenal can get over the line without a truly elite front line, adding Barcola in the summer could give them another level. Liverpool should not let that happen.
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Ngumoha still needs minutes, but Liverpool should be good enough to develop him while also signing a player of Barcola’s calibre. Big clubs do not choose between protecting young talent and improving the first team. They do both.
Barcola going to Arsenal would not just be a missed opportunity. It could make Liverpool’s task of getting back on their perch even harder next season.
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