In the lead-up to their UEFA Champions League semifinal clash with Inter Milan, FC Barcelona are reportedly expressing serious interest in acquiring Bradley Barcola, a promising winger currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), according to a report by El Nacional.
Barcola, a 22-year-old French footballer, gained significant attention earlier in the season, particularly following the departure of star forward Kylian Mbappé. His performances initially stood out, marking him as one of PSG’s rising talents. However, as the season progressed, his opportunities on the field have diminished. This is largely due to the club’s high-profile acquisitions, such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, along with the rising prominence of players like Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doue. Despite his reduced role, Barcola has still managed to deliver an impressive output, registering 18 goals and 17 assists across all competitions.
Feeling the need for a new challenge and more consistent playing time, Barcola has reportedly instructed his agent, Jorge Mendes, to begin formal discussions with key figures at Barcelona. These include club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco. It is understood that Barcola views a move to Spain’s La Liga, and particularly to Barcelona, as a natural and exciting next step in his professional journey.
Barcelona’s newly appointed head coach, Hansi Flick, is said to be highly enthusiastic about Barcola’s potential and sees him as a strong candidate to fill the position that may soon be vacated by Raphinha, whose future with the team remains unclear. Talks between Mendes and the Barcelona leadership have already commenced.
Nonetheless, completing the transfer will not be easy or inexpensive. PSG are reportedly demanding a fee of €80 million for Barcola—nearly twice the amount they originally paid to sign him from Lyon. While the financial aspects of the deal are being approached cautiously by Barcelona due to budget constraints, the strong endorsement from Flick may influence the club’s willingness to invest in Barcola as part of their future plans.
