SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 11: Ibrahim Mbaye of Paris Saint-Germain trains during a Paris Saint-Germain Training Session prior to the UEFA Super Cup 2026 at Stadion Salzburg on August 11, 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Leonhard Simon - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 11: Ibrahim Mbaye of Paris Saint-Germain trains during a Paris Saint-Germain Training Session prior to the UEFA Super Cup 2026 at Stadion Salzburg on August 11, 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Leonhard Simon - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s ongoing pursuit of Brighton winger Yankuba Mintah has reportedly led alternative target Ibrahim Mbaye to edge closer to joining an unnamed club.
For a brief period, Mbaye was considered likely to join Liverpool as part of a double move with PSG team-mate Bradley Barcola.
But last week saw Brighton reject two bids – worth £50 million and £60 million respectively – for Minteh to signal a shift in Liverpool’s approach.
Liverpool are expected to return with a new offer for the Gambia international which, if it is closer to Brighton‘s £70 million valuation, should see him join Andoni Iraola‘s squad.
That comes with Mbaye instead being lined up by another, as yet unnamed club, with L’Equipe‘s Loic Tanzi claiming the mystery side are leading the race.
Liverpool ‘failed in combined bid for Barcola and Mbaye’
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
Get French Football News‘ Bastien Cheval relays that PSG turned down Liverpool’s attempts to negotiate a combined deal for Barcola and Mbaye.
Instead PSG “want to nudge Mbaye towards joining the highest bidders,” though that is a situation the 18-year-old’s representatives “may not agree to.”
While there were credible claims of contact with the Senegal winger and provisional terms over a five-year contract agreed, it has never been reported that Liverpool bid for Mbaye.
That would suggest that, as upheld by sources on Merseyside, he was simply one of a number of options and Minteh may have moved above him in their list of priorities.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 25, 2025.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 25, 2025.
The Athletic‘s James Pearce reports that Mbaye has been “heavily scouted” but Brighton‘s No. 11 is “viewed as a suitable alternative.”
It has been claimed that PSG were pricing Liverpool out of the discussion when it comes to the teenager, despite negotiations still taking place over a deal for Barcola.
As for Barcola, while PSG‘s asking price of around €140 million (£119.8m) stands at this stage according to Tanzi on X, it remains possible that this drops in the final week of the transfer window.
Liverpool have maintained a patient approach when it comes to the France international, who like Mbaye was left out of the squad for PSG‘s 2-2 draw with Rennes to kick off their Ligue 1 campaign.
PSG sporting director hints at late Barcola transfer
Bradley Barcola, PSG (Image: UEFA)
Bradley Barcola, PSG (Image: UEFA)
Speaking after Sunday’s clash, PSG sporting director Luis Campos admitted the transfer window was “not over at all,” hinting Barcola and Mbaye would both leave late as was the case with Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer.
“This window is not finished. You have spoken about Barcola and Mbaye; we will see what will happen,” Campos said per GFFN.
“It’s like that every year. You remember what happened with Gigi Donnarumma. It was really late.
“This window is not over at all. It is open. Even in terms of arrivals, if we find a good opportunity, we will do it.”
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