Liverpool Intensifies Pursuit of Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola

Liverpool are pushing hard on two fronts in Paris, with a deal for Ibrahim Mbaye described as “progressing rapidly” and a fresh bid for Bradley Barcola being lined up before the English window shuts on September 1.

New head coach Andoni Iraola has made no secret internally of where the squad is light. Defence has been reinforced with Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, and Victor Munoz arrived from Osasuna after Liverpool triggered his £34.5 million release clause during the World Cup. Beyond that, the forward line still looks thin.

For a club that once rotated elite attackers at will, the options now feel noticeably short. Alexander Isak carries the burden as record signing, Munoz adds quality, and teenage talent Rio Ngumoha brings excitement, but Hugo Ekitike’s long-term injury and uncertainty over Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa leave Iraola exposed.

Pre-season underlined the issue. Academy products Lewis Koumas and Will Wright saw heavy minutes, joined by youngsters Trey Nyoni and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Encouraging for the future, yes, but it underlines how much senior firepower has disappeared.

The biggest void, of course, belongs to Mohamed Salah. The club icon left at the end of last season and has since joined Trabzonspor, and Liverpool are still searching for a marquee replacement worthy of that right flank.

Inside Anfield, Barcola has been earmarked as that successor. French outlet RMC Sport report that Liverpool are expected to table a new offer to Paris Saint-Germain this week as talks continue. There remains a gap between the clubs’ valuations, but Liverpool are said to be determined to keep driving the deal.

At the same time, their move for Barcola’s PSG team-mate Mbaye is gathering speed. The same report claims negotiations are set to accelerate after the 18-year-old agreed terms on a five-year contract running to 2031. That agreement in principle marks a significant step.

One key obstacle appears to have cleared. Bayer Leverkusen, viewed as serious rivals for Mbaye’s signature, are now not expected to pursue a deal for the winger, who was born in France but represents Senegal at international level.

The noise around both players only grew louder at the weekend. Barcola and Mbaye were left out of PSG’s squad entirely for Sunday’s French Super Cup defeat to Lens, a decision that immediately fuelled speculation over their futures.

Luis Enrique refused to fan the flames. Asked about the pair after the loss, the PSG coach said: “I will only talk about the transfer window at the end of the transfer window, not before or after. When the transfer window is closed, I will talk about all the subjects.”

Liverpool are hoping, by then, that both of those subjects are already wearing red.