Liverpool Agrees Terms with PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye Amid Barcola Saga
Liverpool’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola has taken a twist – and it now involves one of his team-mates.
The Anfield hierarchy have spent the summer locked in talks over the World Cup star, but PSG’s insistence on a nine-figure fee has slowed everything to a crawl. FourFourTwo understands Liverpool remain unconvinced by that price and are actively exploring alternatives while negotiations continue.
One of those alternatives is already in place.
Mbaye deal agreed as Liverpool hedge their bets
RMC Sport report that Liverpool have agreed terms with Ibrahim Mbaye, the highly rated Senegalese teenager on PSG’s books. A five-year deal is in place, giving the Reds a concrete option if the Barcola chase collapses – and a second young attacker to push for minutes if it doesn’t.
The Barcola talks are still alive. Liverpool have already settled contract terms with the forward, but with PSG holding firm, the club have moved decisively for Mbaye rather than wait and hope.
It is a classic dual-track strategy: keep pushing for the marquee name, lock down the emerging talent.
PSG reload up front
PSG’s own summer has been frantic in attack. Goncalo Ramos has gone, heading to Ruben Amorim’s Milan, while the French champions have accelerated deals for World Cup final hero Ferran Torres and Ajax prospect Mika Godts.
They are reinforcing a frontline that was already prolific. Last season, first-choice trio Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele combined for 52 goals in all competitions. Barcola added 13. Mbaye chipped in with three.
Barcola featured more than any other PSG attacker across Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Champions League, yet he and Mbaye were largely used as deputies. Luis Enrique stuck to a clear formula for the biggest fixtures, rotating heavily and protecting his stars for decisive European nights.
Dembele himself started only 10 league games for the eventual French champions, underlining just how aggressively PSG manage workloads in the final third. This summer’s business only deepens that approach, stacking quality options behind the headline names.
Premier League pathway tempts Barcola and Mbaye
FourFourTwo understands both Barcola and Mbaye are open to a Premier League move. The route to regular minutes under Andoni Iraola is seen as more navigable, with less suffocating competition than at PSG’s star-studded frontline.
Liverpool’s need is clear. The club have lost Mohamed Salah, a modern legend at Anfield, and so far the only attacking arrival is Spanish winger Victor Munoz.
On paper, the left flank is crowded: Munoz, Rio Ngumoha, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz can all operate there. The right is a different story. Mbaye, comfortable off that side, offers a profile that fits a glaring vacancy.
If Barcola finally walks through the door as well, Iraola could suddenly have two PSG-bred talents to reshape Liverpool’s wide options. If he doesn’t, the Mbaye agreement ensures the club are not left staring at an empty space where Salah used to be.
Liverpool have made their move. The next one belongs to PSG.
