Sadio Mane has already told Liverpool why they should sign 'exceptional' Ibrahim Mbaye. The former Liverpool forward praised the PSG teenager as 'exceptional' after playing alongside him for Senegal.
Mbaye's Early Career Achievements
Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, has won two Champions League titles with Paris Saint-Germain, along with two Ligue 1 titles. He also has a Coupe de France, European Super Cup, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup to his name.
Since breaking into Luis Enrique's first team at the start of the 2024/25 season, Mbaye has made 42 appearances for PSG, scoring four goals and providing four assists. However, he has only started 15 games, and with increased competition at the Parc des Princes, the highly-rated winger is considering a move.
Liverpool's Interest
Liverpool are weighing up a move for Mbaye as they look to bolster their attacking options. Reports in France suggest he favours a move to Anfield despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.
Mbaye received his first Senegal call-up last November, scoring one goal and two assists on his full debut in an 8-0 friendly win over Kenya. His request to switch international allegiance from France was approved by FIFA the following month.
Mane's Praise
Playing alongside Mane for Senegal, Mbaye impressed. In the friendly against Kenya, Mane scored a hat-trick, with Mbaye assisting his first goal. At the AFCON in Morocco, Mbaye became Senegal's youngest ever player in the competition when he came on in their opening match against Botswana.
Mbaye assisted Mane again in Senegal's second game against DR Congo, coming off the bench to help earn a 1-1 draw. After the match, Mane said: "Seventeen years old and at this level, I think it's impressive. He has a bright future ahead of him. We will try to help him find the right rhythm so that he can help us even more, because he is an exceptional player."
Mbaye then scored his first AFCON goal in a 3-1 win over Sudan in the round-of-16, becoming his country's youngest ever goalscorer in the tournament. Mane praised him again: "It's a pleasure to give him a pass. I think we know each other very well. When I saw him, his speed was incredible. I just had to put it in front of him. He capitalised on the defender's mistake. He scored the goal. We're all happy for him."
International Impact
Senegal won the AFCON final against Morocco but were later stripped of the title by CAF after storming off the bench in controversial scenes. Their appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport is pending.
Mbaye scored on his World Cup debut against France, becoming Senegal's youngest World Cup player and the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history. With Mane retiring from international football after the World Cup, Mbaye is set to fill the vacancy in Senegal's attack.
