Manchester United could be handed a route to Ibrahim Mbaye after Liverpool reportedly cooled their interest in the PSG winger over cost, with several clubs including United still credited with an interest in the 18-year-old.
The development was reported by the Mirror, citing Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel, with Romano stating Liverpool held talks with agent Jorge Mendes before stepping away once told a double deal for Mbaye and Bradley Barcola would cost around €200m (£171m) combined.
Why PSG might sell
PSG are said to be seeking between €40m and €50m (£34.2m-£42.7m) for Mbaye alone, a figure Liverpool apparently considered excessive. United, Bayern Munich, Porto, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Roma and Aston Villa have all reportedly made enquiries with PSG over his availability.
The picture at Parc des Princes has only got tighter for Mbaye. The Athletic reported PSG have agreed a £42.7m fee with Barcelona for Ferran Torres, a signing that would further squeeze the winger’s opportunities and, per AS, could push PSG towards sanctioning even a loan departure.
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The numbers so far
Mbaye made 31 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring three goals and adding two assists, though only 11 of those outings came in the starting XI. He operates predominantly on the right but is comfortable on the left too, and he found the net against United in the 1-1 pre-season draw before being an unused substitute in PSG’s Super Cup win over Aston Villa.
Should a deal materialise, he would add to a wide-attacking group already featuring Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, Patrick Dorgu and Shea Lacey under Michael Carrick, whose side face AC Milan on Saturday.
Whether United push on now Liverpool have stepped back remains to be seen, with PSG’s valuation and the queue of European suitors both still in play.