Liverpool Plots Double Transfer Raid on PSG for Barcola and Mbaye

Liverpool is plotting a potential double transfer raid on Paris Saint-Germain for teenage forward Ibrahim Mbaye and winger Bradley Barcola, with initial talks and opening bids reportedly imminent as the Premier League season opens and clubs maneuver across Europe’s summer transfer window.

Paris Saint-Germain Targets and Financial Stakes

The main chatter in the Liverpool sphere surrounds French outfit forward Bradley Barcola and the club’s interest in bringing him to Anfield. Rumours of a possible move for Barcola have circulated for some time, with more than €100 million potentially flowing from Anfield Road to the French capital for the 23-year-old. The Frenchman had already considered leaving last summer before Paris Saint-Germain blocked a move, and he is said to have rejected an extension a few weeks ago to a contract that runs until 2028.

Buried alongside that pursuit is renewed interest in 18-year-old Senegalese national player Ibrahim Mbaye. While some reports suggest Mbaye is not Liverpool’s primary choice for the wing, French publications indicate an opening bid is imminent. According to L’Equipe, negotiations separate from any potential Barcola deal are set to begin between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for Mbaye. The French club values the youngster at around £42.7m. If both deals materialize alongside the reported £128m asking price for Barcola, Liverpool could potentially shell out nearly £200m to Paris Saint-Germain alone.

Squad Shuffling and Rival Competition Across Europe

Paris Saint-Germain’s willingness to discuss both attacking players stems partly from incoming arrivals. The French club has acquired both World Cup winner Ferran Torres and Mika Godts, making the club more amenable to losing Barcola and Mbaye. For Barcola, the arrival of Godts and Torres would push his chances of a regular starting spot down even further. For Mbaye, the teenager appears to have no further chance of regular playing time in Paris, having managed just under 1,000 minutes in Ligue 1 last season before being completely out of the picture by the knockout phase of the Champions League.

At the same time, Liverpool’s potential moves could trigger further departures. If Liverpool successfully secures these targets, it might allow Cody Gakpo to leave, with Gakpo reportedly in advanced talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a move. Meanwhile, Liverpool faces heavy competition for Mbaye’s signature. Borussia Dortmund has monitored the Senegal World Cup participant as an alternative following a collapsed transfer involving Said El Mala, while Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City have also looked into the teenager. Manchester United was similarly linked to Mbaye with reported plans for talks, though Liverpool has reportedly distanced itself from that particular race.

Broader Premier League Movement and Manchester United Activity

As the transfer window enters its final weeks, rival clubs are racing to finalize their squads. Manchester United kicks off its 2026/27 Premier League campaign away at newly promoted Hull City on Saturday, August 22, with the match serving as the first competitive outing for new signings Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Karl Darlow. United is also closing in on an agreement with Leicester City for 18-year-old midfielder Louis Page on a deal worth £10 million plus add-ons, after the player was left out of Leicester’s squad.

FBL-ENG-FR-PR-LIGUE1-LIVERPOOL-MONACO-FRIENDLY — Photo: Goal.com

FIFA 27 | NEW CONFIRMED TRANSFERS & RUMOURS! 🚨🔥 ft. Mbaye, Salah, Godts… etc

On the defensive front, Manchester United had also been linked with Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae. However, the South Korea powerhouse has decided to stay put in Bavaria. BILD reporter Christian Falk, commenting on the United target, noted:

“As I’ve mentioned with Bayern Insider previously, the South Korean international is on the list at United. They’re always looking at his situation at Bayern Munich.”
Christian Falk, BILD reporter

Falk added that Kim is very clear about wanting to stay at Bayern and remains satisfied with his current role.

Back on Merseyside, Liverpool faces a tight timeline as the Premier League season opens with an away fixture against Newcastle United, leaving head coach Andoni Iraola with a compressed window to integrate new recruits while attempting to replace Mohamed Salah’s production on the wing.