Liverpool Prepares Opening Bid for PSG Winger Ibrahim Mbaye
Liverpool are preparing to lodge an opening offer for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye in the coming days, as the club scrambles to bulk out a threadbare squad before the Premier League kicks off.
Andoni Iraola’s first summer in charge has been strikingly quiet. Only Victor Munoz has arrived as a senior attacking signing, while defender Jeremy Jacquet finally checked in after his January agreement. That’s nowhere near enough for a club of Liverpool’s ambitions, especially after the exodus that has ripped experience and depth from the dressing room.
Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all departed on free transfers. Several more first‑team players are being heavily linked with moves away before the 1 September deadline. The result is a squad that looks dangerously light for a side that still talks about competing on all fronts.
Barcola the dream, Mbaye the opportunity
PSG’s Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool’s marquee attacking target for the remainder of the window. The France international has already agreed to the move, but the European champions’ £145 million valuation has slammed the brakes on any progress and left Liverpool staring at a stalemate.
So the recruitment team has turned its gaze to another talent in Paris.
Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye has emerged as a serious target, with Liverpool now expected to test PSG’s resolve. According to L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi, the Reds are set to submit their first bid shortly, encouraged by the player’s openness to a switch to Anfield.
Sources indicate Mbaye is keen to leave in search of regular first‑team football, something he has struggled to secure in a stacked PSG squad. Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen are also in the hunt, adding a layer of urgency to Liverpool’s pursuit.
PSG’s reshuffle opens the door
PSG’s own transfer business has created an opening. The French giants have signed Spain international Ferran Torres from Barcelona, only weeks after he struck the winner in the World Cup final, and have agreed a deal with Ajax for Mika Godts to join the champions.
With fresh attacking options arriving, PSG are prepared to sanction Mbaye’s exit. They still want a substantial fee despite his lack of top‑level experience, but the club is not expected to stand in his way if their valuation is met.
For Liverpool, that combination – a willing seller and a restless player – is as good an invitation as they are likely to get this late in the summer.
Iraola’s attack needs help – fast
The urgency is obvious when you look at what Iraola has to work with.
Up front, Alexander Isak stands as the lone out‑and‑out number nine. Behind him, the creative and wide options are Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, Munoz and Harvey Elliott. Talented, yes. Deep enough for a gruelling Premier League and European campaign? Not even close.
Injuries, fixture congestion, loss of form – they are not hypothetical threats, they are inevitabilities across a long season. Right now, Liverpool are one or two setbacks away from a full‑blown selection crisis in the final third.
That is why the Mbaye move matters. It is not just about adding another name to the squad list; it is about giving Iraola the variety and volume he needs to shape a new‑look Liverpool attack.
Deal there to be done
The pieces are in place. PSG are open to a sale. Mbaye wants out for more minutes. Liverpool need bodies, and quickly. Leverkusen’s interest adds competitive pressure but also underlines the winger’s market value.
All that remains is for Fenway Sports Group to decide how hard they are willing to push, and how much they are prepared to pay, to back a new manager on the eve of a defining season.
The window is closing. Liverpool can either move decisively for Mbaye now, or risk watching another target – and perhaps another campaign – slip away.
