Liverpool agree five-year deal with PSG's Mbaye as Barcola pursuit stalls

Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye on a five-year contract, RMC Sport reports, as the club’s long-running pursuit of PSG team-mate Bradley Barcola stalls over a nine-figure transfer fee. The Senegalese teenager, valued at €30 million by Transfermarkt, represents a parallel avenue as the Reds look to replace Mohamed Salah before the window closes.

Liverpool have been linked with Barcola throughout the summer and are understood to have already agreed personal terms with the France international. However, PSG’s reluctance to accept a nine-figure fee for the 22-year-old has led the Merseysiders to explore alternatives, with Mbaye now firmly in the picture rather than as a fallback.

Mbaye made 30 appearances across all competitions for PSG last season, contributing three goals, largely in a backup capacity behind Luis Enrique’s preferred front three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele — who combined for 52 goals between them. Barcola, who netted 13 times, featured more frequently but was similarly used as a rotation option in the biggest matches.

PSG have been active in attack this summer, allowing Goncalo Ramos to join Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan while moving to sign Ferran Torres and Ajax prospect Mika Godts. That philosophy of building depth around a core group of starters appears to have made both Barcola and Mbaye available, with FourFourTwo understanding that both players are keen on a move to the Premier League.

Liverpool’s need for attacking reinforcements is clear. Salah’s departure has left a significant void, and the club’s only addition to their attack so far this summer has been Spanish winger Victor Munoz. The squad already carries options on the left flank in Munoz, Rio Ngumoha, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, making Mbaye — primarily a right-sided attacker — a potentially complementary signing rather than a redundant one.

Andoni Iraola’s side open their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United, adding urgency to the club’s efforts to finalise their attacking reinforcements before the window shuts.