The Reds could be about to pull off the perfect plan.
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Ibrahim Mbaye is being linked to the Merseyside club (Image: Getty)
Liverpool could skirt around a Premier League rule to buy Ibrahim Mbaye this summer as part of a triple raid on Paris Saint-Germain. The Reds are looking to up the ante in the transfer window, with gaps still to be filled in Andoni Iraola’s squad.
Perhaps the biggest is out wide in attack, where Liverpool’s pursuit of a Mohamed Salah replacement continues. The Reds have identified Bradley Barcola as their preferred new left winger, with PSG open to selling should a suitable offer arrive in their inbox.
But it isn’t just Barcola who Liverpool are targeting, with the Merseysiders keen to add depth on the right as well. Teenage sensation Mbaye, also of PSG, appears the perfect candidate for that, and according to Fabrizio Romano, the 18-year-old has made it clear he wants out.
Mbaye is said to be open to the Liverpool project, and would be tempted by an Anfield switch, should the two clubs be able to come to an agreement. However, there had been a fear that Liverpool can only sign one more non-homegrown player due to Premier League rules.
The good news for Liverpool fans is that Mbaye’s age means he wouldn’t need to be registered as a senior player, thus wouldn’t take up a homegrown slot as a result. There is just one spare slot available right now, and in a dream world, that would likely go to Barcola.
Liverpool are still pushing hard to land the Frenchman, but could come unstuck if PSG don’t budge from their eye-watering valuation. It’s claimed Barcola would demand a fee north of £120million by PSG, but Liverpool’s current valuation is in the region of £86m instead.
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Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye are being courted by Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Depending on how things work out, Barcola and Mbaye could prove just two of three signings Liverpool make from PSG. That’s because Illia Zabarnyi is also attracting attention from the 2024/25 Premier League champions, having only left Bournemouth last summer.
Zabarnyi struggled for meaningful minutes last season, and could be allowed to leave as a result. Liverpool are desperate for reinforcements in defence, having lost Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Time is running out for Liverpool to sort their transfers out before the Premier League season gets underway. Just two pre-season friendlies remain for Iraola before their opening match away to Newcastle on Sunday, August 23.