Liverpool have cooled their interest in Ibrahim Mbaye after discovering that a combined deal for him and Bradley Barcola could approach €200m (£171m). With the summer window ticking down, Liverpool are intent on signing at least one more winger.
Mbaye's PSG situation
Mbaye, capable of operating on either flank, became PSG's youngest-ever starter at just 16 years and six months, but his route to regular minutes remains blocked by Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Barcola. Liverpool's initial interest followed Mo Salah's departure earlier in the summer and continued uncertainty around Cody Gakpo's future.
However, Fabrizio Romano reports that Liverpool have now stepped away from a potential move after holding talks with Mbaye's agent. Via his YouTube channel, it is claimed that Liverpool held talks with super agent Jorge Mendes over Mbaye, but PSG quoted the Reds around €200m for the pair.
PSG's valuation and Liverpool's needs
Liverpool could end up signing two new wingers for Andoni Iraola's squad, especially if Cody Gakpo joins Tottenham, but they believe that PSG's asking price for Mbaye is currently too high. Reports indicate PSG value Mbaye between €40m (£34m) and €50m (£42m).
Liverpool have already added one wide option this summer, bringing in Osasuna's Victor Munoz for £34m, but with Munoz operating on the left, the club still need a natural right-sided winger to fill the long-standing role previously held by Salah. Barcola, who was left out of Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup final against Aston Villa, remains an option as uncertainty over his future continues.
Barcola's future and PSG's stance
PSG president Nasser bin Ghanim Al-Khelaifi has also declined to rule out a potential departure, telling beIN SPORTS after the match: "We're working calmly, we don't talk too much, we do. I can't say whether he will leave or not. Today, he is a PSG player. We'll see!"
PSG boss Enrique sidestepped a question on Barcola's future, adding: "I don't know and I don't want to speak about any player individually because it's always dangerous when you are asking something positive or negative about a player. I stay focused on my team."
Price stumbling block
Liverpool's chase has hit a major stumbling block, with PSG valuing the 23-year-old at around £145m - a fee that would eclipse the £125m Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak last summer. Romano adds that talks between the two clubs are still ongoing, with Barcola himself keen on making the move to Anfield.
With the window entering its final stretch, it remains unclear whether the Reds side will go anywhere near that price. Iraola made his need for a winger clear from the very start of pre-season. "There are obvious situations where we need to sign players," he said. "Winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have."
So far Iraola has welcomed Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo as well as Munoz.
