Barcola camp reaches out to Arsenal, but Gunners hold firm against €150m price tag

Arsenal have made it clear they will not chase Bradley Barcola at Paris Saint-Germain's €150m asking price, even though the winger's camp were the ones who made contact. Barcola is expected to leave the reigning Champions League winners this summer after losing his place to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. PSG would rather keep the 23-year-old, but with no new deal signed, they are prepared to sell for the right fee. The Ligue 1 side value him at €150m, and some reports claim the initial demand was €170m. Liverpool remain the most advanced suitor. Barcola has bought into Andoni Iraola's project and is keen on a move to Anfield. Personal terms are close, but Liverpool are unwilling to pay more than €120m. Reports in France suggest they will test PSG with a €115m bid, which is expected to be rejected. Nicolo Schira understands Liverpool will keep trying. Arsenal had already been linked before turning their attention to Vinicius Jr. After the Brazilian decided to sign a new deal at Real Madrid, Barcola became an obvious alternative. Contact has taken place, but it was not Arsenal who initiated it. Sources say Barcola's representatives reached out on Friday morning to ask whether the Premier League champions were preparing an offer. The answer was firm: Arsenal will not pay €150m. They value the winger at €105m-€111m (£90m-£95m), less than Liverpool's planned €115m bid. They would only reconsider if PSG lower their demands. The data backs that cautious stance. SciSports gives Arsenal a Club Fit score of 63, with Liverpool at 77 and Barcelona 78. The analytics firm also doubts Barcola would be a meaningful upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli in Mikel Arteta's system. That makes the decision fairly simple for Barcola if he wants the best football move: Liverpool offer more. Arsenal, despite the contact, are not ready to break the bank.