Paul Merson says Arsenal 'have to get' £145m star after Vinicius Junior transfer blow

Arsenal should target PSG attacker Bradley Barcola, says Paul Merson (Picture: Sky Sports)

Paul Merson says Vinicius Junior is ‘playing’ Arsenal and the club should focus their efforts on signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola instead.

Widespread reports last weekend claimed Vinicius had been identified as Arsenal’s number one target for the summer, with Mikel Arteta said to be ‘smitten’ with the idea of bringing the 26-year-old to the Emirates .

Vinicius has entered into the final 12 months of his contract at Real Madrid and discussions over a possible extension broke down in the wake of last year’s Club World Cup .

However, the Gunners were dealt a major setback as it emerged that Vinicius would be ‘prioritising’ a renewal at the Bernabeu. Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, is said to be vehemently opposed to prospect of losing the Brazilian superstar .

It’s understood Los Blancos have scheduled a fresh round of talks with Vinicius’ camp in the next few days, with Arsenal’s move for the 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up believed to be dead in the water.

‘ Vinicius Junior is just looking for a new contract at Real Madrid . He’s playing Arsenal ,’ ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Merson wrote in his Sky Sports column.

‘But this is where Arsenal are now. This is the market they’re in.

Vinicius is keen to resolve his future at Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)

The Brazilian has just a year remaining on his current deal in the Spanish capital (Picture: Getty)

‘Arsenal are looking to buy someone from Real Madrid, one of the top players. It just shows you where Arsenal are in the market.

‘It’s a big worry for all the other teams in the league, in my opinion.’

The Premier League champions have also been credited with a strong interest in Barcola in recent weeks, with Arteta eager to reinforce his attack with a genuine world-class talent for the new season.

Barcola has also been linked with the Gunners this summer (Picture: Getty)

And while PSG have reportedly slapped an eye-watering £145million price tag on Barcola , Merson believes Arsenal have no option but to shift their attentions from Vinicius towards the Frenchman.

He added: ‘If Arsenal don’t get Vinicius, then they have to get Bradley Barcola.

‘They have to get a left winger in, especially now Leandro Trossard has left. They left themselves very short in that position.

‘And if Arsenal don’t get Vinicius or Barcola, then it’s a major worry.’

Arsenal are on the hunt for a left winger after offloading Trossard (Picture: Getty)

According to Merson, Arsenal may live to regret their decision to sell ‘brilliant footballer’ Trossard to Besiktas.

‘For them to let Trossard go is not good business in my opinion – not for what you’re selling,’ he went on.

‘He went for literally nothing. I can’t believe that half the Premier League weren’t after Trossard. He played in all the big games for Arsenal last season and he’s a brilliant footballer.

‘There are a lot of good players but not a lot of good footballers out there. He came under that second category.’

Arsenal’s first-team squad are currently in Italy preparing to kick off their busy pre-season schedule against Girona on Saturday.

Arteta’s men then head to Dublin to lock horns with Real Betis before facing Borussia Dortmund and Como in a double-header at the Emirates.

The Gunners’ first serious test ahead of the new Premier League season comes on August 16 when they face off against Manchester City in what promises to be an intriguing Community Shield.

Just five days later, the English champions begin their title defence at home to newly promoted Coventry City.