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Liverpool’s hunt for attacking reinforcements has taken them straight to the Parc des Princes, but the hierarchy at Anfield appears to be placing their targets in a clear order of priority. While the Reds have been strongly linked with a double swoop for Paris Saint-Germain pair Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, the latter may not be as high on the list as many had believed.

Mbaye lower down Liverpool's Anfield pecking order

Liverpool’s push to add fresh quality to their forward line has regularly seen them associated with some of Ligue 1’s most promising talents. However, despite early reports indicating a coordinated move for two PSG prospects, French journalist Romain Molina has suggested that the Merseyside club’s interest in Mbaye is not as advanced as previously thought.

Discussing the finer details of the situation, Molina said that although the player is appreciated, he is not right at the top of Liverpool’s recruitment list during this closing stage of the summer transfer window. “Truthfully, Mbaye is on Liverpool’s shortlist but not as the No. 1 choice,” Molina explained while outlining the current position.

The journalist also stressed that the player’s future may depend more on the moves of his agent, Jorge Mendes, than on a direct and sole push from the Premier League club. “On the contrary, Mendes knows very well that at the end of the transfer window there will something for Mbaye, so he will use the clubs where he has the most influence to make things move,” Molina added.

Agent influence and Barcola as the priority

The picture around Mbaye differs from Liverpool’s pursuit of his team-mate Barcola. Liverpool seem to be giving priority to a move for Barcola, whose style of representation is very different from the Mendes model. Molina pointed out that Mendes’ relationship with the Anfield club is not the main factor in this case, especially considering the sizeable amount currently being demanded by the French champions.

“That’s not where he’s most influential, especially with the price currently being asked by Paris Saint-Germain,” Molina said in reference to Mendes’ position in this deal.

He went on to compare the matter with Barcola’s representative, Moussa Sissoko, saying: “That’s where you see the difference between the two agents. For Mendes it’s not so much the player’s wishes that count, it’s where he has connections with the executives to make things move how he wants. With [Sissoko] it’s the opposite. Even if it means clashing with clubs, even if it means going hard. He wants to go to war for his players.”

Alternative names on Liverpool’s radar

If a move for Mbaye does not take shape because of the high asking price or his position on the shortlist, Liverpool have a number of other alternatives lined up. The recruitment department has been monitoring Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo, and Bournemouth’s Rayan as possible additions in the wide attacking areas.

Another player to emerge in recent weeks is Koln’s Said El Mala. The flexible forward, capable of playing on either wing or through the centre, had previously been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund.

However, reports from Sky Germany suggest that the Bundesliga heavyweights have now withdrawn from the race. That could open the door for Liverpool if they choose to activate his reported €50m (£42.7m) release clause.

The financial reality behind a double swoop

While the idea of a double raid on Paris remains an exciting prospect for the Anfield faithful, the financial picture cannot be overlooked. The French club is expected to ask for a combined fee of more than £150m for the two young stars.

Molina’s suggestion is that, although Mbaye remains under consideration, the finances attached to the deal could instead push Liverpool towards another target whose name has not yet been disclosed. With the transfer deadline drawing closer, the Reds are racing against time to settle their attacking plans.