Liverpool reach final decision between Mbaye and Minteh as Romano confirms deal ‘agreed’ | OneFootball

Why Liverpool have turned their back on Ibrahim Mbaye and are now going all out to sign Yankuba Minteh has been revealed, and what this means for Bradley Barcola has also been clarified.

Liverpool’s primary goal upon entering the summer transfer window was a complete overhaul in the wing positions. Mohamed Salah left on a free transfer, while there remains genuine chances for Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa to depart before the deadline. The latest on Gakpo’s proposed move to Tottenham can be found here.

Victor Munoz arrived nice and early in the window, while Rio Ngumoha is braced for an increased role on the right side this term. However, the plan remains for Liverpool to sign two more out wide.

PSG’s Bradley Barcola is the top target and personal terms with the France international have long since been sealed.

Club-to-club talks are taking place on a daily basis regarding the transfer fee and deal structure.

The expectation from sources close to the situation is PSG will lower their initial £145m asking price to around £120m-£125m having already signed three new forwards in this window (Mika Godts, Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres).

Regarding the second late addition to Liverpool’s winger corps, it had appeared Barcola’s teammate in Paris, Ibrahim Mbaye, would be that man.

The Reds agreed personal terms with Mbaye, though over the past few days, they’ve twice bid for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, with the first worth £50m and the second totalling £60m.

And according to the Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele – who primarily covers Liverpool – a deal with Brighton can now be struck if Liverpool come back in with a third bid of around £66m.

Liverpool don’t intend to sign all three of Barcola, Mbaye and Minteh, and per trusted French reporter, Fabrice Hawkins, it’s Mbaye who’ll be left out in the cold.

Why Liverpool are ignoring Ibrahim Mbaye revealed

Taking to X to explain why Liverpool aren’t progressing for Mbaye, he pointed to PSG’s €70m price tag, which does look exceedingly high given the player is only 18 years of age and has less than 50 first-team appearances in his senior club career so far.

‘PSG want €70m for Ibrahim Mbaye this summer,’ wrote Hawkins on the social media platform.

‘Even if this figure is just a starting point for negotiations, the asking price is putting off interested clubs, who value the Senegalese at around €50m.

‘Liverpool, who have already reached an agreement with the player over the terms of a potential future contract, do not want to go that high.

‘Like Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye will not be involved in PSG’s matches during this transfer window.’

With Liverpool refusing to come close to PSG’s valuation of Mbaye, it’s Minteh who they now plan to sign to compete with Ngumoha on the right flank.

And on Friday night, transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, confirmed the 22-year-old left-footer has agreed personal terms with the Reds.

Liverpool agree personal terms with Yankuba Minteh

Furthermore, Romano clarified Liverpool plan to sign Minteh as well as Barcola, and not instead of. It’s Mbaye who’s now shaping up to be the odd man out.

‘Liverpool submit £60m proposal for Yankuba Minteh after personal terms agreed with Gambian winger,’ wrote Romano on X.

‘Negotiations underway with Brighton as #LFC are optimistic to sign Minteh.

‘Not an alternative but in addition to Bradley Barcola, who remains the top target.’