Arsenal are not currently working on a deal for Bradley Barcola, leaving Mikel Arteta without an active move for a marquee winger following the loss of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.
Fabrizio Romano has played down suggestions that Arsenal immediately turned to the Paris Saint-Germain attacker after Chelsea agreed a £117m deal with Aston Villa for Rogers.
The transfer reporter also revealed that Arsenal contacted Yan Diomande’s representatives during recent days. However, the RB Leipzig winger has already agreed personal terms with PSG, who remain in negotiations over his transfer.
Arsenal must now decide whether to wait for another elite option to become available or move quickly for a new name.
Romano cools Arsenal links with Barcola
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said Arsenal had not made checks on Barcola’s situation.
He described the conversation between Arsenal and Barcola as “still cold”, while Liverpool remain attentive to the France international’s future.
Barcola has regularly featured in reports around Arsenal’s attacking plans. His pace, ability to play from the left and experience in high-pressure matches make him an obvious fit on paper.
However, admiration does not amount to an active pursuit. Arsenal have not contacted PSG or Barcola’s representatives, according to Romano, and Liverpool currently appear more engaged.
The update leaves Arsenal without an immediate route towards either of the two young wingers discussed most heavily since the Rogers agreement. Diomande is moving closer to PSG, while Barcola remains a distant possibility rather than an active deal.
Arsenal refused to match Chelsea’s Rogers package
Arsenal’s failure to sign Rogers was a significant setback because Arteta had tracked the Aston Villa attacker for several months.
Romano described Chelsea’s agreement as a major surprise but insisted Arsenal were never prepared to pay £117m. The Gunners valued Rogers at approximately £90m to £100m and planned to begin further discussions after the World Cup.
Chelsea moved first and offered a package Villa were willing to accept. Rogers also chose the opportunity to work under Xabi Alonso, ending Arsenal’s hopes before Andrea Berta submitted a formal bid.
Missing out to a direct rival will frustrate supporters, but refusing to move beyond the club’s valuation was understandable. Arsenal cannot allow the size of Chelsea’s offer to dictate how they value every alternative.
The greater concern surrounds the lack of an advanced replacement. Arsenal had built much of their attacking plan around Rogers, whose ability to operate from the left, centrally or behind a striker offered Arteta several tactical options.
Tzolis gives Arsenal room to remain patient
Christos Tzolis will strengthen Arsenal’s depth on the left after the Gunners agreed a package worth around £34m with Club Brugge.
The Greece international scored 22 goals last season and is expected to replace Leandro Trossard in the squad. Arsenal could hand Tzolis an early opportunity during a planned behind-closed-doors friendly.
However, Tzolis was not recruited instead of Rogers. The Guardian reported that Arsenal still planned to pursue another attacking addition after reaching their agreement with Club Brugge.
Arteta already has Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Tzolis available in wide areas. Arsenal can therefore avoid making a rushed decision simply to respond to Chelsea.
They still need another attacker capable of improving the starting side rather than only adding numbers. Rogers fitted that requirement, while Barcola and Diomande would also have raised the level of competition.
Arsenal’s next move must come from a clear plan. The Rogers setback has narrowed their options, but overpaying for an unsuitable alternative would create a larger problem.
Berta and Arteta now need to identify which leading attackers remain genuinely available. Barcola is not currently an active deal, Diomande appears bound for PSG and Rogers is heading to Chelsea.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Arsenal have another marquee target ready or must wait for the market to move.
