Manchester United enter Ibrahim Mbaye talks as Liverpool withdraw from £42m PSG winger race

Manchester United are in discussions with Paris Saint-Germain over a potential move for teenage winger Ibrahim Mbaye, after Liverpool withdrew their interest in the Senegal international following concerns over the combined transfer cost of pursuing two PSG players simultaneously.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reports that Liverpool stepped away from the Mbaye deal after learning through talks with his agent Jorge Mendes that acquiring both Mbaye and PSG team-mate Bradley Barcola could cost in the region of €200m (£171m). Mbaye alone is valued at between €40m and €50m (£34m–£42m).

United are now among several clubs — including Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund — to have reportedly made contact with the Champions League holders to enquire about the teenager. The 18-year-old gave United a first-hand glimpse of his ability when he opened the scoring in the second minute of a pre-season friendly in Stockholm last weekend, a match that finished 1-1.

Mbaye has already accumulated 41 appearances for PSG and made history at World Cup 2026 by becoming the youngest African player to score at the tournament, netting for Senegal against France aged 18 years and 143 days. He also holds the record as the youngest player to start a match for PSG, having lined up against Le Havre in August 2024 at just 16 years, six months and 23 days old.

Despite those milestones, Mbaye’s path to regular first-team football at the Parc des Princes remains blocked by the presence of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Barcola. That situation could be further complicated if PSG complete a reported move for Barcelona’s Ferran Torres, with Spanish newspaper AS suggesting the French champions may consider allowing Mbaye to leave on loan as a consequence.

For United, the need for wide reinforcements is clear. Manager Michael Carrick has Marcus Rashford back in the squad following his loan spell at Barcelona, and Amad Diallo has shown promise, but the remaining winger options are limited — Patrick Dorgu was signed primarily as a wing-back, while 19-year-old Shea Lacey is still developing. A player of Mbaye’s profile and trajectory would represent a significant upgrade heading into the 2026/27 season.