Liverpool fans woke up to another round of transfer news that left them feeling both frustrated and confused. A report coming from Spain claimed that one of the brightest young wingers in European football has turned down an “offer” from Liverpool and has already agreed to join Barcelona next summer. The player in question is Ibrahim Mbaye, a 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain wonderkid who has been described as the next big star to come out of France. For supporters of the Reds, who have been dreaming about the club continuing to add young talents to build the future under Arne Slot, hearing that a teenager many believe could become world-class has chosen Barcelona instead of Anfield feels like another painful reminder of how ruthless the transfer market can be.
The story has been reported by E-Noticies, a Catalan media outlet, which claimed that Barcelona sporting director Deco has already reached a verbal agreement with Mbaye for him to become a Barcelona player in the summer of 2026. The shocking part of the report is the fee being mentioned: only €3 million, around £3.4m. For Liverpool, who spent more than £450 million on new players this summer including the record-breaking signings of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, losing a player like Mbaye for such a small figure feels almost unbelievable. Fans cannot understand how PSG would allow such a thing to happen, given that the winger is under contract until 2027 and is already part of Luis Enrique’s first-team squad.
But before anyone gets too carried away, there is also the reminder that this rumour has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Only one Catalan source has reported it, and so far, no major French outlet like L’Equipe or big Spanish outlet like Sport has backed up the claim. Still, the whispers have caused enough noise for Liverpool fans to debate whether the club should have pushed harder to convince Mbaye. Because the truth is, Liverpool have been keeping an eye on the brightest young talents in Europe, and Mbaye certainly fits into that category.
To understand why this story matters so much, we need to look closely at who Mbaye really is. He is only 17 years old, but already he has written his name in PSG’s record books. He became the youngest ever player to start a competitive game for the French giants at 16 years and 205 days old. He is also the third youngest goalscorer in PSG’s history, behind Warren Zaire-Emery and Bartholomew Ogbeche. That achievement alone shows how highly PSG rate him, because the Paris club have a history of bringing through generational talents. Zaire-Emery has already become a regular for club and country, Kylian Mbappe before him was breaking records at Monaco and PSG, and now the hope is that Mbaye could be the next in line.
His playing style has been compared to some of the most exciting wingers in modern football. A direct wide man with lightning pace, Mbaye is not afraid to take on his marker again and again. He can beat opponents with his quick feet, cut inside, or go on the outside to deliver crosses. In just 18 first-team appearances for PSG, he has already scored once and provided two assists. But more important than the raw numbers is the impression he leaves. Fans watching him play describe him as fearless, unpredictable, and someone who carries the ball with maturity beyond his years. It is no wonder that some have already called him the “new Ansu Fati”, even though such labels are often unfair to teenagers.
Barcelona, of course, have been famous for spotting and nurturing players of this type. From Lionel Messi to Ansu Fati, from Pedro to Gavi, the Catalan club has a long tradition of giving young talents the stage. Deco, their sporting director, has been desperate to find bargains in the market because Barcelona’s finances are still very tight. Signing a player like Mbaye for €3 million would be a steal, and that is why this report has caused so much discussion. If true, it could turn out to be one of the most clever pieces of business Barca have done in years.
For Liverpool, the frustration is clear. Under new sporting director Richard Hughes and with Arne Slot in charge, the club has been planning a long-term rebuild. They brought in Isak and Wirtz as marquee players, but they also wanted to continue adding younger talents who could grow into the team. Reports that they made an “offer” to Mbaye fits with that strategy. Liverpool know that as good as their current squad is, the future belongs to those who prepare early. Salah, Van Dijk, and even Alisson are not getting younger. The club needs the next wave of stars, and someone like Mbaye could have been perfect for that project.
Still, there are reasons to be cautious. Mbaye is only 17. He has a long way to go before being considered world-class. Many young players who showed promise at 16 or 17 ended up fading away under the pressure. For Liverpool, paying a fee for such a young talent might not be the biggest risk, but the danger is always that he does not adapt to the Premier League or that he chooses a different path. With Barcelona’s name involved, it becomes even harder. Young players often dream of the Camp Nou, of wearing the Blaugrana shirt, of following in Messi’s footsteps. For Mbaye, that dream could be irresistible.
What complicates things further is PSG’s position. They do not want to lose him. Luis Enrique has already given him first-team chances, and the club are said to be preparing a new contract offer. PSG are no longer a selling club; they are the European champions after winning both Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season. Their project is strong, they are aiming to dominate Europe for years, and they want Mbaye to be part of that. So the idea of them letting him go for €3 million does not make sense. Unless there is a release clause that is being triggered, this feels more like speculation designed to excite Barcelona fans than a real possibility at this stage.
And yet, speculation is what drives football. Rumours spark debates, debates fuel emotions, and emotions create the drama that keeps fans hooked. For Liverpool fans, this rumour hurts because they imagine what could have been. They picture Mbaye flying down the wing at Anfield, combining with Wirtz, Isak, and Salah. They imagine him as part of the next great Liverpool side, growing under Slot’s system and lighting up the Premier League. And when they hear that he has “rejected” them for Barcelona, it feels like rejection not just for the club, but for the drem of what Liverpool are building.
The truth is, the future of Mbaye is still unclear. Contracts, negotiations, and choices for young players are complicated. He is under PSG’s control until 2027. Barcelona may want him, Liverpool may admire him, but until official agreements are signed, anything can happen. We have seen in football that today’s “done deal” can collapse tomorrow, and today’s “rejection” can turn into tomorrow’s surprise signing.
What cannot be ignored, however, is the growing pattern of Liverpool targeting ambitious, high-potential signings. After losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid last summer and spending heavily on Isak and Wirtz, the Reds are clearly planning for the long term. They know the competition is fierce. Barcelona are rebuilding, PSG are dominant, Manchester City are always strong, and Real Madrid remain a giant. For Liverpool to stay at the top, they must fight for the very best. That is why even rumours like this one hit so hard—because they remind the fans of the thin margins between getting the next superstar and missing out.
So, for now, Liverpool supporters must wait. They must accept that not every target will come. They must trust that Richard Hughes and Arne Slot have their own list, their own vision, and that the players who do arrive will take the club forward. And they must watch Ibrahim Mbaye closely, because whether he ends up in Barcelona, stays in PSG, or one day still finds his way to Anfield, his name is one that will be talked about for years to come.
At 17, he already carries the weight of comparisons, the excitement of fans, and the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs. That alone shows just how special he might be. And as this transfer rumour shows once again, football is not just about the players on the pitch—it is also about the dreams, the stories, and the endless “what ifs” that make supporters live every day with passion.
