As the World Cup finally prepares to exit the stage this summer, the transfer window is beginning to really spring into life.
Liverpool have been quiet so far, despite their obvious need to plug a few gaps in the squad, but the same can be said for many of their Premier League rivals, including champions Arsenal, who are yet to make a signing outside of the arrival of back-up keeper Illan Meslier.
The Gunners had reportedly installed Morgan Rogers as their top target ahead of Reds’ favourite Bradley Barcola, but were pipped to the post by Chelsea, who are set to spend £117m on the Aston Villa forward.
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Arsenal will now need to pivot, and while that has some Liverpool fans worried that they will now come firmly after Barcola, journalist Fabrizio Romano has suggested that it is still the Reds who are in pole position if the Frenchman leaves Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal have not moved for Barcola
Clearly, losing Rogers to Chelsea is a huge blow for Arsenal, and although they are different players, moving onto another top quality target in Barcola would seem logical.
Speaking on his YouTube channel on Saturday evening, however, Romano claimed that the Premier League champions have made no steps towards signing the PSG star, and it is Liverpool who are still the ones to watch.
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“My understanding on Barcola is that, so far, Arsenal haven’t made any checks,” Romano said. “While they made some checks on Yan Diomande, for example, they didn’t make any fresh check on Barcola in the recent days.
“At the moment the conversation between Barcola and Arsenal is still cold, I would say. Liverpool remain very attentive to the situation. Liverpool remain very keen on Barcola.
“I stand by my information, and I keep telling you that Barcola to Liverpool remains a concrete possibility, depending on the fee they need to spend, because PSG would ask for very important money.
“At the same time it’s important to say that Arsenal will now react to the market, and we have to see the consequences.”
Arsenal must know Liverpool are leading Barcola race
It will be fascinating to see where Arsenal turn from here, but given that the two players mentioned have been Rogers and Barcola, it is perhaps a surprise that they are not pushing the gas on the France international now that Rogers is lost.
That they are not is surely good news for Liverpool fans, and suggests that it is the Reds who have a healthy lead in this race.
Clearly, the deal will be expensive and that means it might not happen still, but if Barcola is to leave Paris this summer, it will surely be for Liverpool.
Arsenal must not be counted out just yet, and if it is a straight choice between the two English clubs, the pull of London might be a factor here.
For the moment, though, Liverpool fans should not be worrying too much. The Reds appear to be firmly in the driver’s seat for Barcola. Now that France have played their last game at the World Cup, hopefully we’ll start to see some movement.
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