Massive twist in Bradley Barcola to Liverpool story, Arsenal react

There's been a massive twist in the Bradley Barcola to Liverpool story. Now Arsenal will react.

Liverpool have long been frontrunners to sign Bradley Barcola. They turned to the Frenchman after a move for Yan Diomande collapsed, though they've bad their eyes on him for a long time.

Anfield Watch exclusively revealed back in April that Liverpool viewed Barcola as a proper market opportunity. That's proven to be the case - to an extent.

The reality is that while Paris Saint-Germain are happy to sell their winger, they're not willing to do it on the cheap. Or anything even remotely approaching 'cheap'.

L'Equipe reports that even after dropping the asking price, PSG still want €150m. That would be the second-biggest transfer in Liverpool's history and all for a player who wasn't their first-choice.

That same report claims Liverpool have offered €115m, though it appears that wasn't an 'official' offer. It's according to Olivier Tallaron, who reports that there wasn't an offer actually put on the table and that the Reds may have now told PSG that they simply cannot afford Barcola.

If true, it's a serious twist in the tale. Liverpool have been favourites to land Barcola and Arsenal, also considered to be in the race, stepped aside to pursue Vinicius Jr.

They failed to land the Brazilian and, per the Independent, remain interested in PSG's man. Their big problem is that Liverpool had progressed the deal so far that they'd struggle to catch up - but that all changes if the Reds can't actually afford him.

Teamtalk claims that Arsenal have now made contact once again and will attempt to make something happen with Barcola. So why would Liverpool admit that?

Our instinct here is that it's to largely pressure Barcola. He supposedly wants the move to Liverpool and the Reds are banking on him telling PSG that he'll only move to Anfield.

If so, Arsenal's interest is irrelevant and PSG would have to lower their price tag in order to shift a player they don't actually need. And whose value will plummet in a year when he'll have just one season remaining on his contract.

It feels like that's the real play here but time will tell if it pays off.