Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye this summer. The 18-year-old has impressed in France, winning two Ligue 1 titles and being an unused substitute in PSG's Champions League final victories in 2024 and 2025. PSG are said to value him at around £43million.
Mbaye's rise at PSG
Mbaye joined the PSG academy in 2018 from Versailles. In 2024, he was called up by Luis Enrique to train with the first team due to a string of impressive performances. He made 12 appearances in his first season and 29 last year as PSG retained their league title.
Known for his pace and directness, Mbaye is a left-footer who primarily operates on the right wing, cutting inside to shoot. He can also play on the left, where he prefers to cross. In his senior career, he has scored eight goals and provided 10 assists in 36 appearances on the right.
International career and Mane's praise
Mbaye was part of the Senegal squad for the 2026 World Cup, scoring a late consolation in a 3-1 loss to France. He also came on in the 77th minute in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco.
Former Liverpool and Senegal winger Sadio Mane has praised his young teammate. "He has a bright future ahead of him," Mane said during last year's Africa Cup of Nations. "We will try to help him find the right rhythm so that he can help us even more, because he is an exceptional player."
Controversy and family involvement
Mbaye has faced controversy, with French transfer journalist Romain Molina accusing him of being 'swayed' by agents. Molina claimed the player's family had "lost touch with reality" and there are "red flags everywhere." Tribuna alleged that Mbaye's parents have exercised "heavy control" over the winger.
The report claimed that requests from the player's representatives included shares of commission, image rights, funding for a "Foundation Mbaye," plans for a Senegal-based football academy, and various personal perks. The accusations came as Molina shared images of Chelsea home shirts with the names of Mbaye's parents, "Yasmina" and "Abdoulaye," alongside a Chelsea shopping bag. His parents have also been snapped holding personalised Aston Villa shirts.
Mbaye has publicly addressed the allegations, describing them as attacks on his family. "It's fascinating how people can slander my family and me… But there is a God, and God will take care of those people," he wrote on Instagram. He added: "Mum, Dad, I love you."
Speaking to RMC, the player's father believes his son has what it takes to make it at the highest level. He said: "When given love, he always accepts it and knows how to be social with everyone. On a footballing level, he has always been mature in his play, and this was the case when he was in the youth categories, and it remains so with the seniors. This is a great achievement for a young man his age."
Whether Liverpool will make their move for Mbaye remains to be seen. With two Ligue 1 titles and two European Cups to his name at just 18, he may be ready for the Premier League.
