Arsenal leapfrog Liverpool in race to sign Bradley Barcola
Arsenal have been given the green light to accelerate a move for Bradley Barcola as PSG prepare to let him leave and Liverpool focus on other targets.
Barcola was unable to force his way into the PSG starting eleven towards the end of last term as they won a successive Champions League crown.
The 23-year-old is set to have the chance to prove himself on an even bigger stage this summer though, and did score in France's opening World Cup win against Senegal last week.
His future has been up in the air for several months as a number of Europe's elite clubs register their interest in his services.
Arsenal and Liverpool have both been linked, but as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, the Londoners are ahead in the race to sign Barcola as it stands.
PSG are believed to be open to offers for the winger's services, even after he registered 13 goals and eight assists in 55 games last season.
Barcola's preferred position is left-wing, but Liverpool are currently focused on signing a right-sided attacker to replace Mo Salah.
Arsenal could move for Bradley Barcola soon as PSG open to offers
Arsenal are in the market for a winger addition this summer following a relatively slow season for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
They seem to be Barcola's most likely Premier League destination as it stands, with Yan Diomande currently Liverpool's top attacking target.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Liverpool's top target is Yan Diomande. I think Barcola is possibly the backup to that deal if they can't agree on terms with RB Leipzig.
"Arsenal are also interested in the Frenchman, and it seems that [they are ahead]. PSG might be willing to let him leave this summer if they get a suitable offer, because he has found himself falling down the pecking order in Luis Enrique's squad."
Trossard could leave Arsenal this summer as Aston Villa plot move
The Gunners will be open to offers for several stars this summer as they look to fine tune Mikel Arteta's squad ahead of another title push.
Trossard turns 32 later this year and is about to enter the final year of his Arsenal contract, while he would be in direct competition with Barcola if he were to arrive in North London soon.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Trossard is open to joining Villa this summer as they line up a move for his services.
Arsenal are open to letting him leave due to his contract situation, with a move of around £17million mooted.