Journalist reveals why Liverpool have abandoned their pursuit of PSG forward | OneFootball

Why Liverpool Paused Their Move for PSG Forward Ibrahim Mbaye

Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola remains one of the key stories heading into the closing days of the transfer window, yet Ibrahim Mbaye may not be completely out of the picture either.

Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, David Lynch discussed Liverpool’s previous interest in the PSG youngster, the change in his valuation and the possibility of circumstances shifting again before the deadline.

The important distinction is price. Liverpool liked Mbaye when the numbers were substantially lower. Once that changed, their thinking changed with it.

Mbaye Price Changed Liverpool’s Position

Lynch explained that Liverpool had looked seriously at Mbaye after their pursuit of another right sided target had developed.

“They’ve had a look at Mbaye, another one who ticks all the boxes really,” Lynch said.

He described the PSG forward as a “high potential” player who “prefers to play on that right hand side”, adding that Liverpool initially believed he “could potentially be got for a decent fee”.

Then the situation changed.

“They’ve gone in for him and then eventually the price seemingly has gone up out of nowhere,” Lynch said.

That appears to have been the crucial point.

Davis suggested Liverpool had liked Mbaye at around £35 million, before reports emerged of a substantially higher valuation. Lynch agreed with the logic behind Liverpool reassessing the deal.

“If you think a player’s good value at 35, you probably don’t think all of a sudden he’s good value at 60 million quid,” Davis said during the discussion.

Could Liverpool Return for Ibrahim Mbaye?

Liverpool moving elsewhere does not necessarily mean Mbaye has disappeared entirely from consideration.

Lynch stressed that recruitment involves exploring different possibilities before deciding where the best value lies.

He argued Liverpool had every reason to “explore where the Mbaye deal was potentially at”, before adding: “I think you’ve got to kind of try certain avenues and also kind of, you know, work out what’s on there, what’s out there on the market and what the valuations work for you.”

That becomes particularly interesting because Mbaye remains a PSG player.

Later in the conversation, Lynch said it would be “interesting” to see where Mbaye eventually ends up “if PSG don’t suddenly drop it for Liverpool”.

That leaves the door at least slightly open. Liverpool’s problem appears to have been the revised price rather than a sudden loss of interest in the player himself.

Photo: IMAGO

PSG Comments Keep Both Deals Interesting

Davis also pointed to comments from PSG sporting director Luis Campos after both Barcola and Mbaye were left out of the game against Rennes.

Campos said: “The window isn’t over,” and, when asked about the two players, added: “We’ll see what happens regarding Barcola and Mbaye.”

He also stressed that the transfer window remained open “whether in terms of arrivals and departures”.

Those comments do not confirm that either player will leave, although they provide plenty of intrigue given Liverpool’s interest in both.

For Barcola, Lynch’s confidence remains considerably stronger.

Barcola Remains Liverpool’s Likeliest PSG Deal

Lynch believes the Barcola situation is likely to run late because of the way the negotiations are structured.

“It seems interesting that all parties are absolutely committing to doing this as late as possible in the window for some reason,” he said.

He also believes Liverpool should benefit financially from waiting rather than forcing the issue earlier in the summer.

“I’m pretty sure they’re going to get a better deal than that,” Lynch said when discussing Barcola, before adding: “That deal was only there to be done later in the window.”

His conclusion was particularly positive.

“I think you can have confidence it will get done,” Lynch said. “I think all the mood music from Liverpool, from the PSG side as well is that it will get done.”

He later added: “I expect Barcola to get over the line.”

For Liverpool, Barcola therefore remains the PSG forward whose transfer appears furthest advanced. Mbaye is a different equation, one seemingly dictated by valuation.

Should PSG soften their position before the deadline, Liverpool’s earlier interest suggests that conversation could yet become relevant again.