LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 13, 2026: Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye (R) during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg game between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 13, 2026: Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye (R) during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg game between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While Liverpool have expressed interest in Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye alongside Bradley Barcola, he is reportedly not their “No. 1 choice.”
The expectation in the final weeks of the transfer window is that two new wingers will arrive at Anfield.
With negotiations ongoing over a big-money move for Barcola – which could open up as PSG near deals for Ferran Torres and Mika Godts – a number of options are being assessed for the second addition.
Since interest in Mbaye was widely reported at the beginning of August, the assumption has been that Liverpool would push for a double deal with PSG.
However, French journalist Romain Molina, who specialises in operations behind the scenes, claims on YouTube that Mbaye is not their “No. 1 choice” and his future is more likely to be decided by connections with his agent Jorge Mendes.
Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG 17/05/2026 - France/Ile-de-France (region)/Paris - Julien Mattia/Le Pictorium Credit: LE PICTORIUM/Alamy Live News
Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG 17/05/2026 - France/Ile-de-France (region)/Paris - Julien Mattia/Le Pictorium Credit: LE PICTORIUM/Alamy Live News
“That’s not where he’s most influential, especially with the price currently being asked by Paris Saint-Germain,” he explained of Mendes’ relationship with Liverpool.
“Truthfully, Mbaye is on Liverpool’s shortlist but not as the No. 1 choice.
“On the contrary, Mendes knows very well that at the end of the transfer window there will something for Mbaye, so he will use the clubs where he has the most influence to make things move.”
The suggestion is that while Mbaye is under consideration, the finances involved in the deal could instead prompt Liverpool to look elsewhere at a currently unnamed target.
Which other wingers are Liverpool interested in?
Liverpool are known to host an interest in Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh, Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Bournemouth‘s Rayan.
Perhaps interesting is that Sky Germany now report that Dortmund have pulled out of the running for another of Liverpool’s reported targets, Koln’s Said El Mala.
El Mala, who is primarily a left winger but can also play up front and on the right, is available for a fixed fee of €50 million (£42.7m) but it remains to be seen if there will be overtures from Anfield.
While the focus in the transfer window is around players and clubs, it is increasingly the case that agents control the narrative when it comes to high-profile moves.
3D0G50G LEVERKUSEN - Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain at the Bay Arena on October 21, 2025, in Leverkusen, Germany. ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Bart Stoutjesdijk
3D0G50G LEVERKUSEN - Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain at the Bay Arena on October 21, 2025, in Leverkusen, Germany. ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Bart Stoutjesdijk
As Molina continued, he outlined the difference between Mbaye’s representative Mendes and Barcola’s agent Moussa Sissoko, demonstrating why the latter is more likely to complete his move to Liverpool.
“That’s where you see the difference between the two agents,” he said.
“For Mendes it’s not so much the player’s wishes that count, it’s where he has connections with the executives to make things move how he wants.
“With [Sissoko] it’s the opposite. Even if it means clashing with clubs, even if it means going hard. He wants to go to war for his players.”
Football – UEFA Champions League – League Phase – Manchester City FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Football – UEFA Champions League – League Phase – Manchester City FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Wrexham AFC
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's Calum Scanlon lines-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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