Liverpool’s Path to Ibrahim Mbaye Clears After Dortmund's El Mala Bid

Liverpool’s pursuit of Ibrahim Mbaye has just been handed a major boost – thanks to a record-breaking move in Germany that doesn’t even involve the Paris Saint-Germain teenager.

Dortmund go all-in on El Mala

Borussia Dortmund, long considered one of Liverpool’s main rivals for Mbaye, have launched a huge bid for another of Europe’s standout young talents: Said El Mala.

Sky Germany report, via Florian Plettenberg, that Dortmund have submitted an offer of €55 million to Koln for the 19-year-old. It would be the biggest bid in the club’s history and make El Mala their record signing if Koln accept. The player has already agreed personal terms.

El Mala emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s breakout stars last season, widely viewed as the second most impressive teenager in the league behind Yan Diomande. His form for Koln was outstanding, his reputation arguably kept slightly in the shadows only because Diomande drew so many headlines.

Dortmund see him as a priority. Crucially, they see him as the priority.

Liverpool’s path to Mbaye clears

That stance matters on Merseyside.

Liverpool have been pushing hard for Mbaye, who is regarded as one of the brightest young wide forwards in Europe. The PSG prospect combines raw pace with sharp decision-making and the kind of technical quality that hints at a ceiling right at the top of the game.

Inside Anfield, there’s a clear vision for how he could grow. There’s a natural link with Rio Ngumoha, and there’s a belief that Mbaye has the long-term profile to step into the space Mohamed Salah will eventually leave on the right flank. Not immediately, not overnight, but over time. He has that level of talent.

Dortmund, though, were firmly in the race. The German club love a development project and had identified Mbaye as exactly that – a high-upside signing to mould, as they’ve done so often with elite young attackers.

Their move for El Mala changes the picture.

If Dortmund complete a €55m deal for the Koln star, it is highly unlikely they follow it up with a similar outlay for Mbaye. Two huge attacking investments in the same window would go against their usual model and financial structure. The expectation is clear: El Mala or Mbaye, not both.

By going all-in on El Mala, Dortmund effectively step aside in the chase for the Senegalese winger.

Anfield advantage

That leaves Liverpool in a commanding position.

With one of their main competitors seemingly committing their resources elsewhere, the Reds can attack the Mbaye deal from the front of the queue. Other clubs admire him, but Dortmund were the most serious threat.

Now, the landscape tilts towards Anfield.

Liverpool still have work to do with PSG and the player’s camp, and nothing is signed yet. But as Dortmund push to break their transfer record for El Mala, the path for Liverpool to bring Mbaye to Merseyside has rarely looked clearer.

If the German giants get their man, the next teenage star making a major move could well be Ibrahim Mbaye – and his destination might be the Kop.