Liverpool Must Win The Race For PSG Starlet Ibrahim Mbaye — Here's Why They Need Him Most

Liverpool will reportedly need to battle competition from several Premier League and Bundesliga clubs to secure the signing of highly-regarded Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye.

The Reds are currently in talks with PSG over a potentially record-breaking deal for Bradley Barcola, which could cost them approximately $196 million (£145 million), but recent reports have also uncovered their interest in his younger teammate Mbaye.

The 18-year-old holds the record as the youngest player ever to appear for the European champions and has featured in 42 matches across the last two seasons. A string of impressive displays earned him a call-up to Senegal's squad for the 2026 World Cup, where he netted a spectacular goal against France in the group stage.

However, given his exceptional ability and enormous potential, the versatile attacker is unsurprisingly attracting widespread attention. L'Équipe has reported that while Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund are currently at the front of the queue for his signature, seven other clubs across England and Germany are also keeping close tabs on him.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Chelsea are all named as potential suitors, with Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen also said to be admirers of the young talent.

PSG are willing to allow him to leave, having recently completed the signing of Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco, while the club are also on the verge of landing 21-year-old Ajax winger Mika Godts. They are expected to seek a fee of between $46.2 million and $57.8 million for Mbaye.

Which Club Does Mbaye Want to Join?

The report states that while Mbaye has now made up his mind to leave PSG following conversations with head coach Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos, he has yet to settle on a preferred destination amid intense interest from multiple clubs.

Fortunately for the teenager, he is far from short of options, and his reasons for wanting to leave Paris provide some clues about where his career could head next.

Mbaye has chosen to move on in pursuit of more consistent first-team opportunities, giving himself the best possible chance to fulfil his potential. PSG were unable to guarantee him an enhanced role next season, prompting him to seek better prospects elsewhere.

Assurances over playing time are likely to be a decisive factor as he weighs up his options, which could give Liverpool a significant advantage in the race.

Why Liverpool Need Mbaye More Than Other Clubs

Liverpool should have little difficulty offering Mbaye a prominent role in their squad for the 2026–27 season. The club currently lack depth in wide attacking positions, with Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha and new arrival Víctor Muñoz making up their options.

Even if left winger Barcola is added to the mix, the Senegalese youngster would have strong grounds to expect regular action on the right side of Andoni Iraola's attack.

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Although Mbaye is right-footed, like the rest of Liverpool's forward options, he is equally at ease operating on the right flank, a position Enrique has regularly deployed him in at PSG.

Having so far been unable to find a true successor to club icon Mohamed Salah, the Merseysiders are in urgent need of a player capable of excelling on the right wing. Mbaye could prove to be the ideal answer in both the immediate and longer term.

Liverpool's need for him is arguably greater than that of most of their competitors.