Mbaye Prioritizes Liverpool Amid PSG Exit Talks and Winger Pursuit

LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool is making significant strides in its pursuit of Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim MbayePlayer·Ibrahim Mbaye, with reports indicating the 18-year-old Senegalese international has prioritized a move to Anfield. The potential transfer aligns with LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool's strategic objective to reinforce its attacking flanks, particularly after the departure of club legend Mohamed SalahPlayer·Mohamed Salah at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Mbaye's decision to favor LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool comes amidst growing frustration over limited playing time at Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions boast a formidable array of wide attackers, including Ousmane DembelePlayer·Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha KvaratskheliaPlayer·Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire DouePlayer·Desire Doue, and Bradley BarcolaPlayer·Bradley Barcola, creating intense competition for starting berths. This crowded landscape, coupled with reported disciplinary and contractual tensions, as well as concerns over punctuality and fitness, has seemingly blocked Mbaye's pathway to regular first-team football in Paris. Talks with his new agent, Jorge MendesPlayer·Jorge Mendes, are understood to be underway, with PSG reportedly valuing the young talent between €40 million (£34 million) and €50 million (£42 million).

LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool's transfer strategy under new manager Andoni Iraola places a strong emphasis on dynamic wide players, making this area a key focus for the current transfer window. The club aims to integrate five wingers into the squad by the window's close, including a developmental prospect. LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool has already secured the services of winger Victor MunozPlayer·Victor Munoz this summer for the upcoming 2026/27 season, but the pursuit of Mbaye underscores a desire for further high-caliber additions. The club is also reportedly keen on Mbaye's Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Bradley BarcolaPlayer·Bradley Barcola, with speculation of a potential "double deal" for both players. However, PSG's reported valuation of Barcola, around £145 million, presents a considerable hurdle.

Ibrahim MbayePlayer·Ibrahim Mbaye, who primarily operates as a right winger but is also adept on the left, demonstrated his potential during the 2025/26 season. He made 30 appearances across all competitions for Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain, contributing three goals and two assists in just over 1,000 minutes of play, largely from the bench. In Ligue 1Competition·Ligue 1, he featured in 24 matches, including 10 starts, accumulating 997 minutes with three goals and two assists. Mbaye also gained valuable experience in four Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League fixtures.

A notable highlight of his season was his performance at the 2026 World CupCompetition·World Cup, where he etched his name into history as the youngest African player to score in the tournament. At 18 years and 143 days old, he netted a goal against France in Senegal's 3-1 defeat and also started a match against IraqTeam·Iraq, showcasing his talent on the global stage. LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool faces competition for Mbaye's signature from several prominent European clubs, including Bayer LeverkusenTeam·Bayer Leverkusen, RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig, Tottenham HotspurTeam·Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City. A previous deal involving Mbaye and RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig reportedly did not materialize, leaving the door open for other suitors.

As discussions continue, LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool's proactive approach in the transfer market signals a clear intent to rebuild and strengthen its squad, with Ibrahim MbayePlayer·Ibrahim Mbaye emerging as a central figure in their plans for the upcoming season.