Liverpool Set to Make First Bid for Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG
Liverpool are preparing to test Paris Saint-Germain’s resolve with an opening offer for Ibrahim Mbaye in the coming days, as the European champions look to raid the French giants for a second time this window.
Andoni Iraola’s first summer at Anfield has been quiet. Too quiet for a club with Liverpool’s ambitions. So far, only Victor Munoz has arrived as a senior attacking signing, while defender Jeremy Jacquet finally joined up after his January move was agreed months ago.
The outgoings tell a far louder story.
Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all walked away on free transfers. Several others are being heavily linked with moves before the September 1 deadline. Strip it back and Liverpool, 20-time English champions, suddenly look short in almost every department.
Barcola too expensive, Mbaye emerges
Liverpool’s primary target remains Bradley Barcola, but PSG have planted a huge obstacle in the way. The French champions want around £145 million for the France international, a fee that has so far blocked any breakthrough despite Barcola already agreeing to join the Premier League side.
With that deal stuck, Liverpool have turned up the volume on another PSG talent.
Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye has emerged as a serious target, and, according to L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi, Liverpool are expected to lodge their first formal bid shortly. Club sources indicate Mbaye is open to the move, attracted by the promise of more regular first-team football than he currently enjoys in Paris.
PSG, though, are not planning to give him away. They are demanding a sizeable fee despite his relative inexperience, and they are not short of interest. Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen are also keen, setting up the prospect of a cross-border tug of war if Liverpool hesitate.
PSG reshaping attack, door opens for exit
The timing of Liverpool’s move is no accident. PSG have already begun reshaping their forward line.
Spain international Ferran Torres has arrived from Barcelona, fresh from scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final just weeks ago. On top of that, a deal has been struck with Ajax for Mika Godts to head to Paris, further crowding the attacking positions.
With new faces coming in, Mbaye’s pathway looks increasingly blocked. PSG are prepared to let him go, and the player wants out to play more. The situation is clear: there is a deal to be done if Liverpool are decisive.
Iraola needs help – fast
The urgency at Anfield is impossible to ignore. The Premier League season kicks off in less than a week, and Iraola’s attacking options are worryingly light for a club that expects to compete on multiple fronts.
Right now, Alexander Isak stands as the main number nine. Behind him, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, Munoz and Harvey Elliott can operate in the supporting roles. Talented, yes. Deep enough for a title challenge and a long European campaign? Not remotely.
Liverpool’s squad has been stripped back, their margins for injury or loss of form brutally reduced. Iraola has walked into a job where the tactical ideas are his, but the tools are not yet there.
Mbaye will not solve every problem. But he would add pace, width, and another option in a front line that currently looks one or two injuries away from a crisis.
PSG are willing. Mbaye is keen. The window is ticking. Now it’s over to FSG: do they back their new manager with the firepower he needs, or risk watching this season’s ambitions unravel before it has even truly begun?
