Liverpool are planning to submit a bid to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, according to reports in France.
Mbaye has been with PSG’s academy since the age of 10 and made his first-team debut under Luis Enrique two years ago.
Last season, the 18-year-old scored three goals and registered two assists in 29 appearances for PSG as Luis Enrique’s side won Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
But after returning from Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign at the end of January, Mbaye was only used sparingly by Luis Enrique and was left out of the squad for PSG’s derby against Lyon in April.
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‘Every minute you can play at PSG has to be special,’ Luis Enrique said about his decision to drop Mbaye from his squad.
‘I have no regrets about Mbaye, but you have to be ready. He was ready, but I expect much more from all the players. It’s simply competition, a player has to stay out of the team. You have to enjoy every minute.’
At the World Cup this summer, Mbaye made four appearances and scored after coming off the bench in Senegal’s 3-1 defeat to France.
Liverpool have already held extensive talks with PSG to sign Bradley Barcola this summer but according to L’Equipe, the Premier League club are planning to submit an opening bid for Mbaye ‘in the coming days’.
The report adds that Liverpool will hold a fresh round of negotiations with PSG over a deal for Barcola next week.
PSG continue to demand a €150m (£128m) transfer fee for Barcola, which Liverpool have been unable to match so far.
Earlier this week, Spanish outlet AS claimed that Liverpool face strong competition for Mbaye as Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, Porto, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Roma have all made enquiries this summer.
PSG are understood to be open to selling Mbaye but will demand a transfer fee in excess of €50 million (£42.7m)
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