Paris Saint-Germain are indisputably the best team in the world right now, having won back-to-back Champions League titles. Three in a row has only ever been achieved by Ajax, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but Luis Enrique's side are favourites to do just that in Madrid next June.
Well, Liverpool have certainly been impressed by les Parisiens. The Reds are very much attempting to sign Bradley Barcola, seeing an opening bid for £85 million rejected, with PSG holding out for £50 million more than that. Meantime, it was reported in France earlier this month that the club had "stepped up their pursuit" of Barcola's current club team mate Ibrahim Mbaye.
It was then claimed that the Ligue 1 champions quoted Liverpool €200 million for the pair, around £170 million, which led to the Reds walking away from any potential move for Mbaye. So, has this opened the door for their great rivals? Well, according to journalist Sébastien Vidal, Manchester United have positioning themselves as the front-runners to secure the teenager's signature.
He adds that Manchester United have enquired and, like Liverpool, were quoted €50 million. Vidal also notes that Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma "are also following the situation", while Liverpool's interested has "cooled.. in the face of Parisian demands". So, could he end up at Old Trafford?
Speaking to Sky Sports on Thursday, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick reiterated his need for more new recruits:
"We're delighted with the players we've brought in, first and foremost... we've improved the group... we want more, we need more... were conscious of that and we've got to keep pushing. "Michael Carrick
So far, the Red Devils have signed new midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, but have lost Casemiro to Inter Miami. Considering Man United are back in the Champions League, having played the literal minimum number of matches possible last season, 40, their squad is looking a little light.
So, were Mbaye to end up at Old Trafford rather than Anfield, should Liverpool fans be frustrated and worried? Well, the 18 year old is clearly very talented, if still something of an unknown quantity. Of his 42 senior appearances for Paris Saint-Germain, 27 have come as substitute, scoring just four goals and registering only four assists. He also has 15 Senegal caps, albeit started only one of the Lions of Téranga's four World Cup matches earlier in the summer, this against Iraq.
Mbaye then did not feature in Wednesday night's UEFA Super Cup victory over Aston Villa in Salzburg. Thus, it'll be interesting to see if he plays any part in Sunday night's Trophée des Champions against Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Put succinctly, available for less than £43 million, Man United could land themselves a bargain, one which Liverpool could live to regret.
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