Liverpool collect verdict on €55m star they decided not to sign in the summer
Liverpool have been told summer target Ibrahim Mbaye is “making a name for himself” at Aston Villa this season.
RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins claims the Reds agreed personal terms with Mbaye ahead of a potential move from Paris Saint-Germain in August.
However, Liverpool ultimately decided against signing Mbaye, who instead joined Villa from Champions League winners PSG for €55million (£45.8m).
And the 18-year-old has since caught the eye at Villa Park, recording assists against Fenerbahce, Viking and Manchester City in October.
Ahead of Villa’s trip to Barcelona in the Champions League tonight, RMC’s Hawkins has praised Mbaye’s recent performances under Unai Emery.
He writes: “Ibrahim Mbaye is making a name for himself in England, as well as establishing his place within Unai Emery’s system. It is a highly promising start for the 18-year-old Senegalese forward.
“He hopes this is only the beginning. Starting on the left wing for Aston Villa [last] Wednesday - during their 3-1 Champions League victory over Viking - the forward provided an assist.
“More importantly, he confirmed his growing influence at the club, which he joined for €55 million right at the end of the summer transfer window.”
Liverpool and PSG thrashed out Barcola deal in the summer
While Liverpool withdrew their interest in Mbaye, they remained in talks with PSG as they completed a €125m (£104m) deal to sign Bradley Barcola.
And the France international has gone on to record five goal contributions (three goals, two assists) in 12 appearances for the Merseysiders.
Barcola scored his first goals for Liverpool when netting a hat-trick in the 6-0 win at LASK in the Champions League on 14 October.
The 24-year-old will look to increase his goal tally for the season when Liverpool travel to Fenerbahce in Europe’s elite club competition on Wednesday.
In addition to Mbaye, Liverpool also pursued deals for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace in the summer.
The Athletic claims Liverpool had two offers rejected by Brighton for Minteh, while Palace rebuffed their approach for Mbaye’s Senegal team-mate Sarr.
