Liverpool have begun to examine the parameters of a possible acquisition involving Paris Saint‑Germain’s teenage winger Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18‑year‑old, who mainly operates on the right side of the attack, is reportedly keen on a move to Anfield, where he could become a key component of the club’s rebuilding plans.
The Senegalese international is among several targets that Liverpool are monitoring to bolster their flanks, a priority area for the Reds in this summer’s transfer window. In addition to Mbaye, the club has expressed strong interest in his PSG teammate Bradley Barcola, although no formal bids have yet been submitted for either player. Liverpool’s pursuit of Mbaye is being conducted independently of any negotiations concerning Barcola.
One scenario under consideration is that Liverpool could secure Mbaye alongside a more seasoned wide‑player, thereby combining youthful exuberance with veteran experience. The financial hurdle, however, lies in PSG’s hefty £145 million price tag on Barcola, which makes a direct deal for the Frenchman considerably more challenging at present. According to the club’s transfer strategy, Liverpool aim to finish the window with a squad of five wingers, one of whom would be a younger prospect earmarked for development.
This aligns with the vision of new manager Andoni Iraola, who has highlighted the importance of wide players to his tactical philosophy and has placed the recruitment of wingers at the forefront of his first activity on Merseyside. Sky Sports analyst Dev Trehan notes that Mbaye’s primary position on the right wing fits neatly with Liverpool’s need to replace the creative output lost after the departure of club legend Mohamed Salah at the close of last season. While Victor Munoz has already arrived at Anfield this summer, the club’s scouting network continues to track Mbaye and Barcola as part of a broader plan to rejuvenate the attacking flanks. Mbaye is a product of PSG’s youth academy and made his senior debut in August 2024 at the tender age of 16.
Although he originally represented France at youth level, he switched allegiance to Senegal and earned his first senior cap in November 2025. His most notable achievement to date came at the 2026 World Cup, where he became the youngest African ever to score in the tournament, finding the net at 18 years and 143 days old in a 3‑1 defeat to France. The excitement surrounding Ibrahim Mbaye is understandable.
Positionally, he appears to be a more natural fit for Liverpool’s current requirements than Barcola, offering the potential to become the club’s new right‑winger. The departure of Salah has left a void that many supporters hope Mbaye can help fill. Moreover, he has already demonstrated versatility by featuring on the left side for PSG in the Champions League, showing that he can adapt to both flanks when needed. Despite his promise, there are legitimate concerns about his relative inexperience.
So far, his statistical output has been weighted toward successful dribbles rather than goals or assists – a typical profile for a player in the early stages of his professional journey. Nonetheless, his technical abilities and pace make him an intriguing prospect for a Liverpool side that values high‑energy, wide‑area play. PSG appears to be focusing on immediate results, having recently pursued the signing of 24‑year‑old Maghnes Akliouche.
This shift in priority could open a window for Liverpool to acquire Mbaye before his market value escalates further. Securing a player of Mbaye’s calibre would not only provide a long‑term solution on the right wing but also signal Liverpool’s commitment to nurturing young talent within a competitive Premier League environment. In summary, Liverpool are actively weighing the conditions of a deal for Ibrahim Mbaye, a dynamic 18‑year‑old winger with international experience and a record‑breaking World Cup moment. While the club also monitors Bradley Barcola, the immediate focus remains on finding a right‑footed attacker who can seamlessly integrate into Iraola’s system and help bridge the gap left by Salah’s exit.
Should negotiations progress favorably, Mbaye could join a Liverpool squad that is set to field five wingers by the close of the transfer window, with the youngster positioned as a developmental asset for the future.