Liverpool fans in the Kop display flags and banners
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Liverpool are reportedly set to step up their efforts to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye in the final month of the summer transfer window.
In addition to the pursuit of Bradley Barcola, the Reds are also pushing to snap up his teenage teammate from the Parc des Princes, with the 18-year-old understood to be keen on a potential move to Anfield.
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Liverpool set to open ‘official talks’ for Ibrahim Mbaye
On Thursday morning, Mark Brus reported for the Daily Briefing that formal negotiations are expected to commence soon, with the Champions League holders open to selling the Senegal international for th right price.
One source told the reporter: “Liverpool are preparing to start official talks for Mbaye. PSG are expected to demand a transfer fee between €40m and €50m [£34.3m-£42.9m] for him. Mbaye likes the Liverpool project and sees it as his priority.”
The 18-year-old is said to be ‘eager to leave Paris’, with Anfield being his preferred destination, and the Reds are understood to be in pole position to sign him if he leaves the French capital this month.
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The door is open for Liverpool to snap up Mbaye
Whereas PSG are determined to keep hold of Barcola, who they value at a whopping £145m (BBC Sport), they seem much more amenable to letting Mbaye depart.
The former would be the marquee wide attacking addition that Liverpool need off the back of Mo Salah’s exit, but the latter is a natural right winger who’d be much more affordable for the Reds, who require more options in that part of the squad.
Given the price range and the teenager’s reported desire to come to Anfield, there certainly appears to be plenty of scope for a deal to be agreed and a move to happen.
Mbaye is still a rough diamond with important aspects of his game which need polishing – he’s scored just four goals in 42 appearances for PSG thus far, and there have apparently been some concerns at the club over dietary and timekeeping issues (CaughtOffside).
However, at 18 those are things which can be worked upon and improved, and the door is wide open for Liverpool to recruit a precocious right winger who Sadio Mane is convinced has a ‘bright future ahead of him‘.
This has the makings of a transfer pursuit which could accelerate significantly in the coming days.