Arsenal eye Barcola deal as Manchester City consider Enzo Fernández bid

By Joel Kavanagh — 12 August 2026 — 3 min read

Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for winger Bradley Barcola, a player Liverpool have been pursuing. This interest from Arsenal comes as Liverpool has been reluctant to meet Paris Saint-Germain’s demands for the player. Arsenal is said to have significant funds available after their unsuccessful pursuit of another player.

Meanwhile, Manchester City is reportedly interested in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández. However, any potential move for Fernández is contingent on Rodri’s proposed departure from Manchester City moving closer to completion. Chelsea, on the other hand, expects Fernández to remain at the club, and reports suggest they may increase his asking price once the Premier League season begins.

Barcola’s potential move

Liverpool has reportedly agreed personal terms with Bradley Barcola for a five-year contract. This agreement on personal terms could be a significant step, with Liverpool now needing to finalize a fee with Paris Saint-Germain. Reports indicate that Paris Saint-Germain had previously rejected a bid for Barcola, with the fee expected to exceed €100m.

Despite the agreement on personal terms, Liverpool is reportedly hesitant to pay a high fee for Barcola and is looking to negotiate with Paris Saint-Germain from an initial valuation of €140m. Barcola joined Paris Saint-Germain from Ligue 1 rivals Lyon in 2023 and has since made 152 appearances for the club, winning two European titles.

In other transfer news, Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly targeting Ajax player Mika Godts. Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain is said to be close to confirming a move for Ferran Torres.

Midfield and defensive movements

Rodri’s decision to join Barcelona over Real Madrid was reportedly not financially motivated, as both clubs offered a four-year deal worth $17 million (€15 million) annually. His decision was based on his preferred locker room environment.

Barcelona is also exploring options to replace center-back Ronald Araujo following his loan move to Liverpool. Potential signings include Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, Athletic Club’s Aymeric Laporte, and Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni. There is also a possibility that 21-year-old Álvaro Cortés could be promoted to the senior squad.

However, interest in a new center-back has reportedly caused tension between Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and Jules Koundé. Koundé, who prefers to play centrally but has been utilized at right-back, is reportedly considering leaving the club. Arsenal is among the teams that have shown interest in Koundé.

Real Madrid had the opportunity to pursue Arsenal midfielder Martín Zubimendi earlier this summer but declined, reportedly believing he was not suitable for the team’s long-term plans. Despite some reports, Barcelona is not interested in signing Inter striker Lautaro Martínez as an alternative to Atlético Madrid’s Julián Alvarez.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Galatasaray is exploring a deal to sign Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Lewis Hall has reiterated his desire to join Manchester United to Newcastle United. Aston Villa has initiated a move for Juventus striker Jonathan David, a move that could facilitate Juventus’s pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee from Man Utd. Another striker of interest to Aston Villa is Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, valued at $69 million (£51 million) by Chelsea, and also admired by Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea has no interest in permanently selling winger Mykhailo Mudryk this summer but is considering loan options. A loan to Strasbourg has been proposed, but Mudryk reportedly prefers to join another Premier League team, with interest registered across Europe. In Italy, Inter is reportedly close to an agreement to sign Tottenham right-back Djed Spence for over $35 million (£26 million).

Liverpool is scheduled to play Newcastle United when the Premier League season commences.

Source: si.com