Liverpool Lead Chase for PSG's Rising Star Ibrahim Mbaye

Liverpool have positioned themselves as the favourites to secure Paris Saint-Germain's promising young winger Ibrahim Mbaye in the summer transfer window, pulling ahead of several heavyweight rivals in the process.

The 18-year-old right-sided operator, who can shift across to the left when required, emerged from PSG's renowned academy setup and made his maiden appearance for the club's senior side in August 2024, etching his name into the record books as the youngest player ever to start a match for the Parisians.

This campaign has seen Mbaye accumulate 27 outings in senior football, though his contribution has been modest thus far—a solitary goal and a pair of assists to his name. The apparent ceiling on his first-team involvement at the French capital has sparked concerns about his continued development, fuelling talk of a potential departure before next season kicks off.

Sources suggest the France-born Senegal international has grown increasingly receptive to fresh challenges elsewhere, recognising the formidable competition for starting berths at PSG. The Merseysiders are now actively monitoring his situation and have moved to the front of the pack to land his signature.

Aston Villa and Newcastle United represent Liverpool's sternest competition, with both clubs weighing up formal approaches in the weeks ahead. Manchester City, West Ham and Brighton have also kept themselves informed of proceedings. A summer valuation in the region of €30million (£26m) is being mooted—a considerable outlay for someone with such limited elite-level exposure.

Yet PSG's academy track record speaks volumes, and Mbaye is among their most exciting prospects. Technical excellence and dominance in one-on-one situations mark him out as a talent worth the gamble for an ambitious club.

Liverpool's recent acquisition of English teenager Rio Ngumoha has already yielded dividends, and Mbaye could deliver similar impact on the right wing, offering another avenue for the club's youth-focused recruitment strategy.

Meanwhile, Fenway Sports Group have cast their net wider across Paris. Reporter David Lynch recently indicated the Americans are eyeing PSG trio Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Of the three, Barcola appears most likely to depart, with French media suggesting he could be offloaded should PSG secure their own target in RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande.

The Salah Situation

On the matter of Mohamed Salah's future beyond Anfield, Rangers adviser Stig Inge Bjornebye offered his perspective last week. The Norwegian suggested the Liverpool icon may be considering pastures new, though he emphasised the gratitude most supporters harbour for Salah's contributions over his years on Merseyside.

Bjornebye acknowledged that while tensions surfaced around Salah's contract situation previously, the matter has been resolved and the Egyptian has remained committed to the club. Nevertheless, he indicated Salah may now be ready to embrace another chapter elsewhere.