Ibrahim Mbaye, an 18-year-old forward developed at Paris Saint-Germain and under a professional contract until 2028, has carved out a small role in the first-team squad but has not yet secured regular playing time. There has been talk of a contract extension or a departure during the transfer window. According to numerous journalists over the last few hours, the second option is emerging, with two clubs actively negotiating: Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen.
Fabrice Hawkins:
“The young Senegalese forward is on the market, and the capital club is now open to his departure. In recent weeks, several top clubs have inquired about him, but one suitor stands out in particular: Liverpool. The Reds have stepped up their efforts in recent days and shown concrete interest in the Paris player.
Discussions between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are expected to begin soon to reach an agreement regarding the young talent’s future. The Parisian club values the Senegal international at over €40 million. Alongside the Mbaye situation, Liverpool continues to closely monitor Bradley Barcola. While talks with Paris Saint-Germain are open, the two sides remain far apart in their positions for now.
Fabrizio Romano:
and
Olivier Tallaron:
The Mbaye situation: Leverkusen is currently ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign the young PSG forward. Several meetings have taken place between the German club, Paris, and the player. Good relations between Al-Khelaifi and Carro are facilitating the process.
Ben Jacobs:
Abdellah Boulma:
Ibrahim Mbaye was initially set to be included in the deal for Yan Diomandé. Although an agreement with Leipzig seemed likely, the move ultimately fell through after PSG withdrew. Currently, Liverpool is among the most active clubs pursuing him, as reported by Fabrice Hawkins. Bradley Barcola remains a priority target for Liverpool.
With so many announcements surfacing in a short period, there is clearly a buzz surrounding Mbaye. This makes sense, given that he has been linked with a departure for weeks and saw his playing time drop significantly during the second half of the season. PSG may also have taken issue with his entourage’s active efforts to find a new club, prompting the team to clearly push him toward the exit.
It remains to be seen what will actually materialize. Nothing is certain yet, as there are no concrete developments. The two rumored options—Liverpool and Leverkusen—represent very different paths. The Premier League is an alluring prospect, but it is also a highly demanding environment where Mbaye might be signed merely as a backup option for the Reds. The Bundesliga offers a more open landscape where attackers can shine, and the league frequently provides opportunities for young players; Leverkusen could therefore be a destination offering a more realistic chance of securing playing time.
Beyond this difficult choice, there are negotiations to be conducted between the clubs. It is impossible to predict which club will make the best offer, and other teams could also decide to throw their hats in the ring.
