Arsenal have included Barcola on their shortlist but according to The Athletic, the Gunners are prioritising a move for Vinicius Jr instead of the France international.
The report claims that Barcola is Liverpool’s ‘top target’, however, PSG are demanding a €170 million (£145m) transfer fee for the 23-year-old.
Barcola was a regular for PSG last season and scored 13 goals in all competitions as Luis Enrique’s side won Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
But he was dropped for the Champions League final against Arsenal with Luis Enrique preferring to start Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in attack.
Arsenal are prioritising a deal to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid (Getty)
The Spanish club may also look to offload the Brazil international this summer as they are aiming to complete a deal to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Madrid’s opening offer of €100m (£85.4m) has been rejected by the Bundesliga side.
Chelsea have been active in the transfer market with a view to strengthening Xabi Alonso’s squad (Picture: Getty)
Former Chelsea star Andy Townsend says Liam Delap is ‘not anywhere near the level required’ at Stamford Bridge and Danny Welbeck would be a welcome addition up front.
But club bosses are not yet satisfied with their transfer business and and have set their sights on two of the Premier League’s most experienced players with a view to strengthening Xabi Alonso’s squad.
Having moved away from their purely youth-led transfer policy this summer, the Blues have identified Brighton forward Welbeck and Brentford veteran Jordan Henderson among their top targets.
Asked for his thoughts on the rumours surrounding Welbeck and Henderson, ex-midfielder Townsend told talkSPORT: ‘There’s good reasons for both of those. I think Danny is just one of those players who has got better and better the older he’s got.
Chelsea are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Brighton striker Welbeck (Picture: Getty)
Delap is ‘not at the level required’ to play for Chelsea, says Townsend (Picture: Getty)
‘I think Brighton have managed him, which was always the issues he had at his previous clubs, getting injured, missing matches and not playing enough.
‘Brighton have managed and handled him very well, it’s been the perfect fit for him and he had a particularly good season for him last season.
‘He was never prolific, Danny, but he’s shown he can score important goals for his team and can lead the line for his team. Physically, the game has become less of a problem to him the older he’s got which is unusual.’
Delap managed just two goals in a disappointing debut season with the Blues (Picture: Getty)
According to Townsend, neither Jackson or Delap are up to the standard required at Chelsea – and Welbeck would represent a major improvement were he to be brought in as a replacement.
He added: ‘The Nicolas Jacksons of this world I never thought was good enough.
‘Liam Delap is clearly not anywhere near the level required at Chelsea.
‘I think to get somebody like Danny to come in, knows what it’s all about, they don’t have to worry about him settling in or bedding him in… just let him get on with it and do what he’s been doing for Brighton.
‘I don’t think it’s a problem. I think it’s quite a good signing.’
Henderson has emerged as a surprise target for Chelsea this summer (Picture: Getty)
Townsend has been a little taken aback by Chelsea’s bid to sign Henderson but can see the sense in the move, especially if Enzo Fernandez looks destined for the exit door at Stamford Bridge.
‘The Jordan Henderson one I’m not quite so up with,’ he explained.
‘But is that because they’re guarding about Enzo Fernandez possibly going? I don’t know whether Enzo Fernandez will leave, I have no idea.
Fernandez’s Chelsea future remains in doubt (Picture: Getty)
‘If Fernandez, who along with Moises Caicedo, is their most experienced midfield player, do they feel they’re short in a bit of know-how in that particular area?
‘Also, both players [Welbeck and Henderson] are good pros. They’re not 35-year-olds that are messing about, five minutes here and five minutes there.
‘They’re both generally regarded as good people, good guys in the dressing room, experienced boys.’
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Townsend urged Chelsea supporters to get behind both Welbeck and Henderson if they ended up joining, claiming the duo could be what the club have been ‘crying out for’ all along.
‘They’ve done the Morgan Rogers deal so they’ve spent their big dough on a proper player,’ he went on.
‘Look, it was a lot of money but I still think Morgan Rogers is a very, very, very gifted player.
‘But these ones, I don’t think anyone should turn their nose up at a couple of older players, but the right type of older player. A good sort, good lads and they know the division inside out.
‘Maybe it’s something that Chelsea have been crying out for for a while.’
Arsenal are closely monitoring Vinicius Junior’s contract situation at Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)
Vinicius Junior has told his inner circle he wants to resolve his future this summer so there is no risk of him leaving Real Madrid on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
The 26-year-old has just a year remaining on his current contract at the Bernabeu and Premier League champions Arsenal have been alerted to the situation as they endeavour to revamp their attack with a genuine world-class talent.
Madrid and Vinicius are said to be planning a fresh round of contract talks once the attacker has returned from his hometown of Sao Goncalo, where he has been enjoying a short break following the World Cup.
Both sides are determined to reach a resolution sooner rather than later and while his future remains somewhat uncertain, Vinicius has been telling those close to him that he wants to stay put for the long-term.
Vinicius is keen to resolve his future as quickly as possible (Picture: Getty)
The Brazilian’s current deal is due to expire in June 2027 (Picture: Getty)
According to Spanish journalist Tomas Roncero, this is partly driven by Vinicius’ desire to give back to Madrid what he feels he owes the club after the ‘gamble’ they took on him when he aged just 18.
Roncero, the editor-in-chief of AS, told Cadena SER’s El Larguero programme: ‘In recent weeks, he’s been saying to those around him that he doesn’t want to leave without Real Madrid receiving a single euro: “I can’t leave Madrid for free because Madrid took me in when I was 18, from a humble family, with a difficult social and personal situation, and they believed in me.”
‘They paid €45m euros when it was just a gamble, a promise, nothing more, “Madrid has given me everything, I can’t leave without leaving a single euro in the bank”, I’m saying what he’s telling his friends.’
Arteta is said to be ‘smitten’ with the idea of signing Vinicius (Picture: Getty)
Though Roncero was reluctant to speak for those around Vinicius, he was adamant that the player himself was intent on removing any risk of becoming a free agent in a year’s time.
‘Maybe his agents are more calculating when it comes to negotiations,’ he added.
‘But that’s what Vinicius is saying, that he can’t leave Madrid for free.’
Vinicius has registered 128 goals and 100 assists in 375 appearances for Madrid since joining the Spanish giants from Flamengo back in 2017, when the Brazilian was only a teenager.
In that time, Vinicius has helped Madrid win 14 pieces of silverware, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.
Arsenal have already moved to reinforce their attacking options with the summer addition of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for a reported fee of around £34m.
The newly crowned English champions also captured goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer, while activating their £35m option to sign Piero Hincapie on a permanent basis from Bayer Leverkusen.
