Mbaye Chase Ends at Anfield as Villa Swoop for PSG Winger
Liverpool look close to finalising a move for Bradley Barcola, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward expected to represent a clear upgrade on Cody Gakpo down the left. That still leaves the club searching for a long-term option on the right, the slot left vacant since Mohamed Salah’s Anfield exit.
Villa Move Ahead of Liverpool for Mbaye
One name that had featured on Liverpool’s shortlist for that role was Ibrahim Mbaye, the PSG teenager. That interest has now cooled significantly, with David Ornstein reporting that Aston Villa have agreed a deal in principle worth €55m to sign the 18 year old.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Aston Villa reach agreement in principle to sign Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain. #AVFC move for 18yo #PSG winger in process of being finalised: €55m. Nasser Al-Khelaifi & Nassef Sawiris relationship key to closing deal @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/0Z6xxUHoko
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 28, 2026
The fee Villa are willing to pay says plenty about where Mbaye’s valuation currently sits, and it wasn’t a number Liverpool were prepared to match.
Minteh and Sarr Still the Priority
Liverpool’s own valuation of Mbaye came in well below what Aston Villa have now agreed to pay PSG, and rather than get drawn into a bidding war for an unproven winger, focus has shifted elsewhere. Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr remain the two realistic targets for the right wing spot, though Brighton and Crystal Palace have both rejected opening bids, with each winger valued north of £70m.
Barcola’s arrival alone would represent a strong statement of intent. Whether Liverpool can also land a genuine upgrade on the right before the window closes is the question that will define how this business is ultimately judged.