According to reports from the French media, Monday evening has seen PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye agree personal terms with Premier League side Liverpool
Last night, PSG’s domestic season did not get off to the ideal start, with a 1-0 loss to Coupe de France winners, RC Lens, in the Trophee des Champions.
We can all debate the merits or otherwise of Lens having home advantage for the game, but ultimately they deserved to win the game, and PSG were very gracious in defeat, staying to watch the trophy lift. Listen, fair play.
Truth be told - and yes, the resources still dwarf those of Lens - the Parisians were a little light for the game. New signings Mika Godts and Ferran Torres were not registered in time for the game (though fellow new signing, Maghnes Akliouche was involved), and the players they are (directly or indirectly) replacing — Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola — were not included in the match day squad, despite having travelled with the team.
Well, there has been an update in that regard. Indeed so, as on Monday evening, high profile French journalist Fabrice Hawkins has reported that Mbaye has now agreed personal terms on a five year contract with English Premier League side Liverpool, rejecting Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in the process.
Hawkins twice mentions that Liverpool want to sign both Mbaye and Barcola during this summer transfer window and will attempt a double deal to try and bring both to Anfield, though an agreement has not been reached as of now.
Very interesting. Very interesting indeed. There are still 15 days of the transfer window remaining, and this could in theory go right down to the wire, so the likelihood is that we are yet to hear the last of this, whatever ends up happening in the end. You get the sense that PSG fans just want a conclusion to be reached as soon as possible, either way.
But we shall see. Both teams start their league campaigns on Sunday. Liverpool face Newcastle United at 17:30 CET, whilst PSG begin their five time title defence a few hours later - at 20:45 - against Stade Rennais. You hope that something is sorted before then, but wouldn’t hold your breath just yet.
We all know that Enrique does not want to keep players who do not want to be at the club, so that is another tick in the box for a sale. It just feels inevitable, and sensible, at this point, but who knows, nothing in football should surprise you anymore.
