Liverpool are weighing up a possible move for Ibrahim Mbaye as they look to bolster Andoni Iraola's attacking options. The Reds remain keen to enhance their frontline, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward one of a number of interesting options currently under consideration ahead of the Premier League season starting later this month.
Mbaye's profile and PSG competition
Predominantly a right-winger, the 18-year-old is reportedly valued at between £34.2m and £43m and continues to be tipped to leave the club this summer. Mbaye, who is represented by agent Jorge Mendes, made 30 appearances for PSG last season, returning three goals and two assists, but started just 11 times for the European champions.
With the Ligue 1 giants already boasting Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, and also pursuing moves for both Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts after ending interest in Yan Diomande, competition for places at the Parc des Princes is only going to get steeper with Mbaye's pathway seemingly blocked as a result.
Other interested clubs and Liverpool's pursuit
RB Leipzig had reportedly been interested in signing the Senegalese as part of a deal for Diomande, before Real Madrid closed in on a deal for the Ivorian. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen are also reported to be interested in signing Mbaye, though reports in France claim he would instead favour a move to Liverpool.
Interest in the teenager, who became the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history when scoring for Senegal against France back in June, is understood to be considered separate to the Reds' pursuit of his Parisian team-mate, Barcola. The Reds have held preliminary talks with the France international's representatives, and have been given encouraging signals from the player's camp over a potential switch to Anfield. However, PSG's £145m valuation of Barcola is so far proving problematic.
Replacing Salah and other targets
Liverpool have been keen to bolster their attacking options this summer after seeing the long-serving Mohamed Salah depart the club on a free transfer last month. The Egyptian is now closing in on a switch to Turkish side Trabzonspor, with sourcing a replacement for the third-highest scorer in the club's history the chief transfer priority at Anfield.
The Reds had been interested in signing Diomande themselves and expressed a willingness to pay £86m for the winger, but such an offer fell short of RB Leipzig's valuation before the Ivorian decided he favoured a move elsewhere instead.
Liverpool have at least signed Victor Munoz in a £34.5m switch from Osasuna, with the 23-year-old reporting early to the AXA Training Centre for the start of his pre-season schedule on Wednesday after lifting the World Cup with Spain last month. But the Reds are still seeking further attacking reinforcements, with Barcola their primary target in what could be a possible club-record move if PSG get close to their asking-price, and Mbaye now one of a number of targets under consideration to potentially be brought in alongside the Frenchman.
The likes of Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, Said El Mala of Koln and Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo have also been looked at by the club as they continue to assess a number of different options across the market.
Current attacking options and priorities
Liverpool's need for attacking reinforcements following Salah's exit has only been heightened by the long-term absence of Hugo Ekitike. The France international ruptured his Achilles tendon in last April's Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, and is expected to be sidelined until the New Year.
Meanwhile, speculation continues regarding Cody Gakpo's future amid reported interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich. Federico Chiesa has also been linked with a move away, though the Italian has admitted publicly that he is hoping to win Iraola's favour following the Spaniard's arrival at Anfield as successor to Arne Slot.
Beyond the aforementioned quartet, Iraola can call upon Alexander Isak, who endured an injury-plagued first season with the Reds, and Rio Ngumoha. The likes of Harvey Elliott and Kieran Morrison are also hoping to catch his eye in pre-season. But Liverpool's need for further attacking reinforcements remains their transfer priority ahead of the start of the new season.
