Liverpool Set to Bid for PSG Winger Ibrahim Mbaye

Liverpool’s quiet summer may finally be about to crackle into life, with the club expected to lodge an opening offer for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye in the coming days.

Andoni Iraola has stepped into Anfield with a clear need for reinforcements, but so far the window has been subdued. Only Victor Munoz has arrived as a senior attacking signing, while defender Jeremy Jacquet’s move – agreed back in January – has now been completed.

That’s nowhere near enough for a club that still talks about titles.

A squad stripped bare

Liverpool’s squad has been cut alarmingly close to the bone. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all departed on free transfers, ripping experience and quality out of three key lines of the team. Several others are being heavily linked with exits before the September 1 deadline.

The result is a group that looks thin, especially for a side expected to fight deep into multiple competitions. Iraola needs bodies. He needs starters. He needs options.

The Barcola roadblock

PSG forward Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool’s primary attacking target for the remainder of the window. The France international has already agreed to the move, but the European champions’ £145 million valuation has slammed the brakes on any swift deal.

The price has forced Liverpool to look at other ways into the PSG squad.

That’s where Mbaye comes in.

Mbaye on Liverpool’s radar

Liverpool are now pushing for a second addition from the French champions, with Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye identified as a concrete target. According to L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi, the Merseyside club are expected to submit their first official offer for the 20-year-old in the coming days.

Sources at GIVEMESPORT indicate Mbaye would be open to the switch to Anfield. PSG, though, are demanding a substantial fee despite his relative inexperience at the top level.

The winger wants out in search of regular first-team football. He may not be short of options. Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen are also keen on his signature, adding a layer of urgency to Liverpool’s pursuit.

PSG’s reshuffle opens the door

PSG’s own transfer activity has nudged the door wider for a Mbaye exit. The French giants have sealed the arrival of Spain international Ferran Torres from Barcelona, only weeks after he scored the winning goal in the World Cup final. They have also struck an agreement with Ajax for Mika Godts to head to Paris.

With fresh attacking talent arriving, PSG are prepared to let Mbaye leave. The player wants to go. The conditions for a deal are clear. Now it comes down to who moves fastest and who pays up.

Liverpool’s attacking shortage

The timing could hardly be more critical for Liverpool. The Premier League season is less than a week away, and Iraola’s attacking options are paper-thin for a club of this stature.

Alexander Isak stands as the lone established number nine. Behind him, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, Munoz and Harvey Elliot can operate in the supporting roles. On paper, that’s a handful of talented players. In reality, for a team aiming to compete at the highest level across four fronts, it looks light.

Injuries, loss of form, fixture congestion – they will all come. Liverpool know this story too well to ignore it.

Time for FSG to act

PSG are willing sellers. Mbaye is a willing mover. The market has presented Liverpool with a realistic, if not cheap, opportunity to bolster Iraola’s front line.

Now the pressure shifts to Fenway Sports Group.

With the season about to start and rivals already strengthening, Liverpool can’t afford to watch another window drift by. Will they push the button on Mbaye and give their new manager the firepower he needs, or risk entering the campaign one attacker short and one injury away from trouble?