^ ^ World Cup star Bradley Barcola makes Liverpool transfer decision after Arsenal talks

Bradley Barcola is at the World Cup with France (Picture: Getty)

PSG star Bradley Barcola is keen to join Liverpool this summer despite also emerging as a target for Arsenal, according to reports in France.

Barcola, currently at the World Cup with France, is weighing up his future after three successful seasons in Paris.

The 23-year-old winger has won two Champions League trophies and three Ligue 1 titles since joining PSG from Lyon in 2023.

Barcola remained a key member of Luis Enrique’s squad last season – making 49 appearances in all competitions, but was named on the bench for PSG’s Champions League final win over Arsenal.

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That disappointing outcome reportedly convinced Barcola to at least consider moves away from the French champions this summer, with Arsenal initially leading the race to secure his signature.

Mikel Arteta is a known admirer of Barcola and expressed interest in bringing him to north London before Arsenal faced PSG in the Champions League final.

It was reported last week that Arsenal were set to make a bid for Barcola, who scored in France’s World Cup opener against Senegal before helping Didier Deschamps’ side thump Iraq in their second group game.

New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola (Picture: Getty)

But Arsenal face competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool, who have also identified Barcola as a summer target as they look to bolster attacking options for new boss Andoni Iraola.

Mohamed Salah has finally left Anfield after a long and hugely successful spell and Liverpool view Barcola as an ideal replacement for the Egyptian legend.

Liverpool considered a move for Barcola 12 months ago and French outlet Le10Sport say Anfield bosses have revived their interest this summer.

Barcola has already impressed at the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

The report adds that Barcola is ‘thrilled’ at the prospect of a move to Merseyside and is ‘excited’ by the project at Liverpool and the chance to play in the Premier League.

PSG, meanwhile, have not ruled out a summer sale and are already looking at a number of players to potentially replace Barcola.

The Ligue 1 giants are one of several clubs looking at RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande while they have also been linked with Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi and West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with the PSG star (Picture: Getty)

Discussing Barcola’s possible summer moves, countryman William Gallas told talkSPORT: ‘With his ability, I think he could go to Liverpool, Arsenal or somewhere else in the Premier League. That won’t be a problem.

‘But he needs to find the right club that suits his style and gives him the opportunity to show his quality. It depends on how Liverpool is going to play and what their style will be. 

‘We know Arsenal’s style already, but for Liverpool, it might be different under a new manager. But Bradley Barcola would have a huge impact at both.’

Whether Liverpool make an official bid for Barcola remains to be seen as they have already signed Victor Munoz from Spanish side Osasuna.

The Reds, who endured a miserable title defence last season, are also one of the leading contenders to sign Diomande, who is currently at the World Cup with Ivory Coast.

Barcola’s France have secured their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup ahead of their final group game against Norway on Friday night.

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^ ^ World Cup: The Superstars Take Over

Messi, Mbappé and Haaland all scored twice on a day dominated by the World Cup’s biggest stars.

Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith react to another record-breaking night for Lionel Messi, who became the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer, and discuss what it means for his place in football history.

Julien Laurens joins to assess a huge day for the superstars, reflect on France’s dramatic win over Iraq and a 130-minute weather delay.

Kelly Somers brings the latest from England camp ahead of their meeting with Ghana in Boston.

Plus, Rick and Lloyd take on table tennis and Lloyd does a questionable Jamie Foxx impression.

^ ^ Arsenal agree fee to sign ‘fantastic’ star ahead of Man Utd and Chelsea

Mikel Arteta wants to bolster his Arsenal title-winning squad (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have agreed a fee with Leicester City to sign Jeremy Monga ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea, according to reports.

A number of Premier League and European clubs have expressed interest in signing Monga following Leicester’s back-to-back relegation.

The 16-year-old winger made seven Premier League appearances during the 2024-25 season as Leicester were relegated to the Championship, becoming the second-youngest player behind Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri to feature in the competition.

More records followed Monga last season as he became the youngest player to start a match for Leicester before becoming the youngest goalscorer in Championship history.

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He made 30 appearances across the campaign but was unable to prevent Leicester from suffering another relegation, though they would have stayed up had if not been for a points deduction for breaching PSR rules.

Leicester wanted Monga to sign his first professional contract at the King Power Stadium but accept he will leave after the Foxes dropped down into League One.

A number of Premier League giants have contacted Leicester to discuss a deal, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea all keen to secure the services of one of the brightest talents in English football.

Man Utd and Chelsea were also keen on Jeremy Monga (Picture: Getty)

But it is new champions Arsenal who are leading the transfer race having agreed a £10m fee with Leicester, according to talkSPORT.

It is claimed Monga has also given the green light to a summer move to the Emirates Stadium despite interest from several other clubs.

Arsenal are keen to bolster Mikel Arteta’s title-winning squad and while more high-profile and expensive signings will be secured, Monga’s transfer will be seen as a shrewd coup.

Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy used to manage Monga at Leicester and described the teenager as a ‘fantastic talent’.

‘You could see glimpses of his great qualities, he’s a great winger and has speed,’ the Premier League icon said.

‘He’s a fantastic talent – a great boy, he deserved these minutes and hopefully, more to come.’

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^ ^ Arsenal make shock transfer decision and will let key star ‘leave for the right price’

Mikel Arteta is preapred to sanction a shock transfer move (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal are prepared to sanction the departure of one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted players this summer, if they receive a suitable offer.

Having masterminded the Gunners’ first Premier League title-winning campaign in 22 years, Mikel Arteta and the club’s hierarchy are not about to rest on their laurels.

Within days of confirming their status as champions, Josh Kroenke essentially confirmed plans were already underway to arm Arteta with a squad capable of defending the title and winning the Champions League.

After defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest a month ago, Arteta himself admitted his ideal would be to manage a side capable of fighting fire with fire and not having to rely on his side’s defensive fortitude to win the biggest prizes.

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To that end, Arsenal are pressing ahead with a move for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, while they are also mulling over moves for Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola.

While Arsenal have a considerable budget to work with, they will have to sell several first team players in order to land their main targets.

The likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Christian Norgaard are all attracting interest from elsewhere, while according to the BBC’s Sami Mokbel, speaking on the Latte Firm podcast, skipper Martin Odegaard could also be deemed surplus to requirements.

Morgan Rogers is wanted by Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Arteta’s Arsenal revolution took a major step forward when Odegaard joined Arsenal, initially on loan from Real Madrid, five years ago.

Appointed captain upon the departure of Granit Xhaka, the Norway international established himself as a hugely influential character both on and off the pitch.

A series of injuries, triggered by the fractured ankle he suffered while playing for his country back in September 2024, has seen impact wane.

Eberechi Eze was signed last summer to help inject new life into Arsenal’s forward line and, after a slow start, he made a huge impact over the course of the run-in, sharing playmaking duties with Odegaard.

Arsenal could sell Martin Odegaard this summer (Picture: Getty)

Having missed a total of 30 matches for club and country last season with various ailments, it now appears that Arsenal are prepared to cut their ties with one of Arteta’s most trusted lieutenants.

Bayern Munich and PSG have both been tentatively linked with moves for the 27-year-old and Arsenal would be looking to make a substantial profit on the £30million they paid to sign Odegaard from Real.

Arsenal legend Merson had doubts over Odegaard’s future at the Emirates Stadium, earlier this month and wouldn’t be surprised if his former club looked to sell during their captain in the summer window.

‘It’s madness for me to be saying this, but they probably will be thinking about that [selling Martin Odegaard]’, Merson said on The Sports Agents, which is available to watch/listen to now on Global Player, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

‘But for me, I still think there’ll be teams queuing round the block for him… When you play in the position that Odegaard plays in, you’re screaming out for pace up front. You have to have pace.’

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^ ^ World Cup: Lamine Yamal Lights Up Spain

Spain produced one of the performances of the World Cup so far as they swept aside Saudi Arabia 4-0, while Cape Verde continued their remarkable tournament with a shock draw against Uruguay.

Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith react to another big day at the World Cup and are joined by Elizabeth Conway from Atlanta, where she watched Spain's impressive victory and a standout display from Lamine Yamal. Will this be his tournament?

The team also discuss Cape Verde's latest giant-killing result and what it means for one of the World Cup's surprise packages.

Plus, Rick and Lloyd went to Belgium's match against Iran in Los Angeles alongside Dion Dublin and Conor McNamara, before comparing notes on how they spent their day off.

^ ^ Joe Hart backs Arsenal star’s surprise World Cup snub

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart (Picture: Getty)

Joe Hart has backed Spain’s decision not to play Arsenal title winner David Raya at the World Cup.

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon started Spain’s first World Cup group game, a goalless draw with Cape Verde, and Sunday’s impressive 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.

Raya’s presence on the Spain bench has come as a surprise to Premier League fans given he was an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s title-winning squad last season.

The 30-year-old only conceded 27 goals across the 38-game campaign, claiming the Premier League Golden Glove award for the third successive season.

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Lionel Messi’s hat-trick. Cape Verde’s heroics. Those Scottish fans.

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Raya’s form at the Emirates Stadium has put him in the conversation to be the world’s best goalkeeper but he nevertheless continues to be overlooked by Spain.

The Premier League winner and Champions League finalist has only earned 13 caps for Spain since making his international debut in 2022.

Bilbao’s Simon, in contrast, has 60 international caps, having been Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2021 and helping Luis de la Fuente’s side become European champions two years ago.

Spain World Cup back-up goalkeeper David Raya (Picture: Getty)

Discussing Raya’s World Cup snub, ex-England goalkeeper Hart said on The Rest is Football: ‘I think it’s tough.

‘Unai Simon came in from David de Gea, who took over from Iker Casillas. De Gea was the No. 1 for a while and he was playing at such a level for Manchester United.

‘But he had a drop-off and [former Spain manager] Luis Enrique was under so much pressure to take him out of the team.

Spain No. 1 Unai Simon (Picture: Getty)

‘Unai Simon wasn’t really bashing the door down at that point but he got in by default and since that moment he’s not really put a foot wrong.

‘The coaches really like him and he obviously helped Spain win the Euros two years ago. I’m a massive fan of David Raya, he is hot right now and is at the peak of his powers and seems to be getting even better.

‘But as a goalkeeper once you’ve got that No. 1 jersey, you almost have to lose it yourself rather than someone go past you.

Spain thumped Saudi Arabia (Picture: Getty)

‘Simon is playing at such a high level for his club and country and not really putting a foot wrong, he’s an important cog in their machine. He’s a really good goalkeeper, he’s a safe pair of hands.

‘Of course David Raya is one of the best at this moment in time but Simon has done well over the last couple of years so they’re going to do well to take the jersey off him.’

Asked whether he would start Raya ahead of Simon, Hart added: ‘I can make a case for why David Raya should be playing.

‘He’s electric and a real matchwinner. There’s no way Arsenal win the Premier League without him being at his elite best.

‘But Unai Simon is safe and solid, a real vital cog in this Spain side. I don’t think the manager would lose a wink of sleep if he had to play either one of them.’

After getting their World Cup campaign back on track against Saudi Arabia, Spain will look to clinch top spot in Group H on Saturday when they face Uruguay.

Euro 2024 winners Spain are one of the favourites to win the World Cup alongside defending champions Argentina, 2022 runners-up France and England.

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^ ^ The Wayne Rooney Show: Clichy on Mbappe, Henderson & France in 2010

Gaël Clichy joins Wayne for the latest World Cup debate covering England's hopes, France's expectations and Jordan Henderson's controversial selection.

There's also a passionate defence of Kylian Mbappé, with comparisons to an all-time great and a warning that football sometimes does not fully appreciate brilliance until it's gone.

This is a fascinating look inside life at a major tournament, with the truth behind France's infamous 2010 World Cup controversy and why modern defenders are struggling. Plus, predictions, dark horses and who could lift the trophy.