Liverpool dealt new Ibrahim Mbaye transfer blow amid Bradley Barcola impasse

Ibrahim Mbaye is one of the wingers Liverpool have looked at

Liverpool’s summer hasn’t been the busiest until now. If you compare and contrast with the mayhem of 12 months ago, when the then-Premier League champions were splashing the cash left, right and centre, the Reds have been much more reserved this time around.

And not necessarily for the right reasons. Even captain Virgil van Dijk sent a subtle message to the board, urging them to get their wallets out and add more quality to their squad. One of the biggest areas in need of improvement is Liverpool’s attack, with the Merseyside outfit having waved goodbye to club legend Mohamed Salah in the summer.

On top of that, Hugo Ekitike is expected to remain out injured until the turn of the year, leaving Andoni Iraola in the lurch with his options. Bradley Barcola is Liverpool's main attacking target, but with the Frenchman valued at around £130million by Paris Saint-Germain, agreeing a deal has so far proved difficult.

They are also on the hunt for a right winger and haven’t had to look far with Barcola's team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye another known target. But much like the Frenchman, the European champions are holding out for big money.

Liverpool are in talks with the Parisians about a move, yet their negotiating position has been weakened in recent days.

That's because it has emerged Yankuba Minteh, a back-up option for them on the right wing, will be out for some time with an injury. The Brighton forward has dazzled for the Seagulls and might have been a player Liverpool moved to as a Plan B in the final weeks of the window.

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Yankuba Minteh has picked up a nasty injury (Image: Getty)

Minteh was known to be on Liverpool's radar but he is now another option crossed off their list. And there’s every chance it could back Liverpool into a corner. There are very few right-wing options elsewhere on the market so Andoni Iraola's side might have to just pay what PSG want which is said to be around £40m.

The Reds will be hoping to get both Barcola and Mbaye through the door to aid Iraola's hopes of competing for trophies in his debut season in charge.

Should Liverpool secure attacking reinforcements, there could even be movement out of the club, as Cody Gakpo is being linked with a move away from Anfield. Tottenham have emerged as a suitor for the Dutchman, as they look to amend their own problems in the attacking department.

It’s been reported in the Netherlands that there has been contact between the two Premier League clubs, with talk of a £60m bid gathering momentum in recent weeks. Clubs have until September 1 to complete all of their summer business.