Liverpool have held talks with Ibrahim Mbaye’s agent regarding a summer transfer to Anfield but a move depends on Paris Saint-Germain’s transfer valuation, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds have been rather quiet in the transfer market this summer for new boss Andoni Iraola despite such a poor 2025/26 campaign on Merseyside.

Agreeing a deal with Rennes for centre-back Jeremy Jacquet back in February, Liverpool have also completed the signing of Spanish winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna.

Further reinforcements are needed in attack, especially following Mohamed Salah’s exit, Hugo Ekitike’s injury and the possibility of Cody Gakpo heading to Tottenham before the summer window closes for business.

Liverpool are keen on signing Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain to upgrade their attack but agreeing on a fee has proved problematic so far with the French side valuing their winger at £130m.

Mbaye of PSG is also a target, with conversations with Jorge Mendes, the youngster’s agent, taking place.

Speaking on GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast, Romano issued a fresh update on Liverpool’s move for Mbaye and also claimed that the Reds do have more options on their transfer list ahead of the deadline.

“I expect also Liverpool to add one more winger to the squad, especially if Cody Gakpo goes to Tottenham,” said Romano.

“Mbaye is one of the names. It’s true. They had conversations with the agent of the player, Jorge Mendes, but at the moment it depends on the valuation.

Mbaye’s 2025/26 campaign in numbers:

via Reuters

If he does indeed secure a move to Anfield before the transfer deadline, Senegal winger Mbaye will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Sadio Mane at Liverpool.

Mane was a huge success on Merseyside as he contributed 120 goals and 46 assists in 269 games for the Reds as he helped them win multiple honours.

Mane knows that Mbaye is extremely talented, labelling him as an “exceptional player” during their time together at the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the year.

“Seventeen years old and at this level, I think it’s impressive. He has a bright future ahead of him,” said Mane after Mbaye assisted him in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

“We will try to help him find the right rhythm so that he can help us even more, because he is an exceptional player.”

After the roles were reversed and Mane assisted Mbaye for a goal against Sudan in the round of 16, he said: “It’s a pleasure to give him a pass. I think we know each other very well.

“When I saw him, his speed was incredible. I just had to put it in front of him. He capitalised on the defender’s mistake. He scored the goal. We’re all happy for him.”

Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion have organised new talks in order to close the Carlos Baleba transfer deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Red Devils are on the verge of signing the powerful midfielder in a £65m deal after previously trying to lure him to Old Trafford one year ago.

Baleba’s arrival at the club once a deal has been agreed and contracts penned will complete United’s new-look midfield for the 2026/27 season and beyond for Michael Carrick.

A key area of the pitch that needed addressing with Casemiro moving on, the club moved quickly in July to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.

Still requiring an experienced player who can sit deeper and also make a big impact in the Champions League, Manchester United finally look set to get their man in Baleba.

The 22-year-old has earned rave reviews since moving to Brighton from Lille in 2023, becoming a major force in their midfield with his strength and ability to win the ball and carry it forward.

Speaking on Give Me Sport’s Market Madness podcast, transfer expert Romano provided the latest on Baleba’s move to Old Trafford and stated that the deal will be done in “a matter of hours”.

“I think there is a very good chance to see Man United signing more players,” explained Romano.

“The player has been pushing for this deal. It’s been almost one year, August 25, when he already said yes to Man United. He never wanted to consider any other option in England and abroad, as he wants to go to Man United. So on player side there is no issue and it’s going to happen soon.”

Carrick’s dream midfield

via Reuters

Carrick is going to have options galore in midfield this season once Baleba joins Santos and Tielemans as United players.

Prior to the head coach’s arrival at the club, midfield was a real issue under former boss Ruben Amorim but a change in management saw the Red Devils get more joy there, with Kobbie Mainoo one player to flourish following Carrick’s arrival.

The summer additions may see Mainoo drop down to the bench, though, with Baleba to take on the holding role in midfield and allowing those ahead of him to do what they do best.

Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes will join the Cameroon international in midfield, thus giving United an extremely strong midfield trio as they look to push for major honours this campaign.

Santos, Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte are then further options available to Carrick as he tries to attack four competitions and bring silverware back to The Theatre of Dreams.

Carrick’s dream midfield: Tielemans, Baleba, Fernandes.

A Champions League winner, still only 30 years old, has been spotted this week making his debut for a ninth-tier side, marking a drastic fall from grace. The defender in question retired from the beautiful game just three months ago but, with an itch too strong to ignore, is back playing for a shock new club.

It’s a sad story because, while he is still relatively young – especially for this generation of footballer – he announced that he was bringing his playing career to an end back in May due to a third serious knee injury of his career, having previously ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament twice.

But playing at a much lower level could help rejuvenate the player, who now appears to be playing for the love of the sport rather than for money. At his new club, he now plays as a midfielder, and it would seem he’s having a blast – even if his debut came at the cost of defeat.

Ex-Champions League Winner, 30, Makes Debut With Shock Ninth-Tier Side

Wolfgang Rattay via Reuters

Former Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Sule has returned to football, as the ex-Germany international made his debut for SV Tiefenbach in the midfield, rather than the centre-back role Bundesliga fans were used to seeing him deployed in. Sule, who won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020, marked his first appearance for the club with a goal.

However, his maiden goal for the club was not enough to prevent them from a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of SG Kirchardt in the opening weekend of their district league. Watch some footage of his performance below:

“I think he’s enjoying it more playing a bit more offensively now,’ his new coach, Jason Walzel, told Badische Neueste Nachrichten, as per the Daily Mail. “He was there on Saturday and then again on Thursday and Friday. I don’t think it was planned that he would one day actually play in the Kreisliga. The boys are happy; he’s a great guy.”

How Niklas Sule Reflected on Ending his Career Early

Andreas Gebert via Reuters

Sule decided his time in topflight football was up when he believed he had torn his ACL for the third time in his 13-year professional career.

He went down with what looked like a serious knee problem during Dortmund’s 3-2 Bundesliga victory over Heidenheim in February, and following tests with the doctor in the dressing room he “really thought it’s torn.”

However, he escaped another ACL tear and, in that moment, decided that when his Dortmund contract expired, that would be that for his time performing at the highest level. Speaking to the ‘Spielmacher’ podcast, he explained:

He added: “I couldn’t imagine anything worse than looking forward to life – being independent, going on holiday, spending time with my children – only to then have to come to terms with my third cruciate ligament tear.”

Sule was capped a total of 49 times for Germany, scoring once. He now lives far remoevd from the glare of European football, but has found a way to keep playing with a smile on his face.