Ibrahim Mbaye: PSG Talent Pursued by Liverpool and Manchester City

Ibrahim Mbaye, the latest jewel off Paris Saint-Germain’s production line, is being steered firmly away from Aston Villa and towards the very top of the European game, with Liverpool and Manchester City among the clubs now sounded out over a move.

The teenager’s representatives have started an active charm offensive across the continent, contacting a select group of Europe’s elite as they search for what they consider the right launchpad for a career they believe should be played on the biggest stages.

Villa talks stall as Mbaye aims higher

Aston Villa were not just browsing. They held serious talks over a deal and were viewed as a realistic destination when it first emerged earlier this month that Mbaye was available and drawing Premier League attention.

Negotiations moved forward. The project was outlined, the pathway discussed. Then the brakes went on.

Those close to Mbaye have pushed back against the idea of a move to Villa Park, despite acknowledging the strides Villa have made under Unai Emery and their rise into the Champions League places. For the player’s camp, this is about perception as much as opportunity: if he is to leave PSG, they want the step to scream “elite”.

Inside his entourage, there is now a strong conviction that leaving Paris is the right move for his long-term development. Staying in the shadow of established stars risks stagnation. But if he goes, they want a club that mirrors what they see every day in training – a footballer capable of operating at the very highest level.

Liverpool and City sounded out

That belief has shaped the next phase. In recent days, Mbaye’s name has been formally put to Liverpool and Manchester City, two clubs that not only dominate English football but also live deep into the latter stages of the Champions League.

There is admiration at both Anfield and the Etihad Stadium. Recruitment teams know exactly who Mbaye is and what he could become.

Liverpool have tracked his progress throughout his time in Paris, slotting him into their wider scouting picture as they redraw their attacking options after Mohamed Salah’s departure. New sporting director Richard Hughes is assessing several wide forwards as he looks to arm Andoni Iraola with fresh pace and unpredictability in the final third.

City are in a similar phase of recalibration. Enzo Maresca is reshaping a title-winning squad, with the club already busy in the market this summer and open to further attacking reinforcements.

Yet there is a catch.

Not top of the list – for now

For all the interest and positive reports, neither Liverpool nor City currently see Mbaye as a headline target.

At Liverpool, the focus remains firmly on Bradley Barcola, another PSG talent who sits at the top of their winger shortlist. The club are also monitoring several other high-profile options across Europe, weighing up which profile best fits Iraola’s aggressive, front-foot style.

City, too, have other names ahead of Mbaye in their attacking plans. They recognise his long-term potential, but when it comes to immediate priorities, he is not at the front of the queue.

That does not mean the door is closed. Far from it. Those involved describe the situation as fluid, the kind of drawn-out market dance that can change quickly with one sale, one injury, one twist in another transfer chase.

A career-defining choice

Mbaye’s camp are in no rush to grab the first escape route out of Paris. They want a “sporting project” – a phrase often thrown around in modern football, but in this case backed by a clear stance: minutes, development, and a defined pathway matter more than a quick move or a flashy unveiling.

Interest is growing across Europe. More conversations are expected in the coming weeks as clubs refine their plans and as Mbaye’s representatives test the market, club by club, project by project.

For now, the message from his side is simple: this is one of French football’s brightest young talents, and his next decision will shape a decade. The question is not whether he leaves PSG, but which giant is prepared to bet that he is ready to join them at the very top.