Liverpool’s search for wide attacking reinforcements has led them to Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, with any move for the teenager separate from their ongoing interest in Bradley Barcola.

The Times report that Liverpool have entered the chase for the Senegal international, who is also being linked with Bayer Leverkusen in a deal said to be worth between $46.2 million (€40 million) and $57.7 million (€50 million). The club have already made direct contact with Mbaye’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and the relationship between the two parties is understood to be strong. Mbaye is “attracted to moving to Anfield” and is viewed as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah, particularly because he can operate on the right wing.

That pursuit is not expected to alter Liverpool’s position on Barcola. The Frenchman remains a target, and he is keen on a move to Merseyside, but PSG’s valuation of nearly $195 million has so far stood in the way of progress.

Mbaye’s rise has been quick. He became the youngest appearance-maker in PSG history when he debuted at 16, and has remained involved regularly since then. Over the last two seasons he has made 42 appearances, often used by Luis Enrique in Ligue 1 so senior attackers can be preserved for the closing stages of the Champions League.

Last season, 75% of those outings came in France’s top division. He scored three goals and added two assists, although only 10 of his 24 appearances were starts. His numbers for Senegal have also moved fast, with 15 senior caps, four goals and three assists. A solo goal against France at the 2026 World Cup drew attention.

Liverpool’s interest is shaped by a clear emphasis on pace in wide areas. Mbaye fits that profile, having reached 20.87 miles per hour in the Champions League last season, with only 13 wingers bettering that figure, including Barcola at 21.37 mph. He also averaged 1.9 dribbles per 90 in Ligue 1 last term, while Rio Ngumoha was the only Liverpool player to exceed that total in the Premier League last season.

Liverpool spent about $600 million last summer but recovered around $250 million in sales. Having already spent $81 million on Jérémy Jacquet and $46 million on Muñoz, further big moves may still depend on exits. Curtis Jones could go to Inter, while Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa are also options to leave. Salah’s wages, now off the books, add further room.

Manchester United look set for another goalkeeper departure, with Altay Bayındır reportedly on the way to La Liga to join Celta Vigo on loan for the 2026-27 season.

The move had appeared increasingly likely after United brought in veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow from Leeds United this summer. Bayındır, who has struggled to secure a clear path at Old Trafford, is now expected to attempt a fresh start in Spain.

According to The Athletic, the deal is a season-long loan and includes an option to buy for close to €4 million (£3.4 million, $4.6 million). That figure is only €1 million below the fee United paid three years ago.

The report also states that Celta Vigo will cover Bayındır’s wages and could pay additional bonuses to United if performance-related clauses are triggered.

His exit is expected to form part of a broader reshaping of the squad, with Radek Vitek also nearing a departure. The 22-year-old impressed during a loan spell at Bristol City last season, where he was named Player of the Year, and is now seeking regular first-team football. Middlesbrough are said to have moved for him.

The Athletic say United have agreed to sell Vitek to Middlesbrough for an initial £7 million ($9.4 million), with the total potentially rising to £14 million ($18.9 million) if all bonuses are met. The agreement also includes a sell-on clause of up to 35%, along with a buy-back option and matching rights.

Bayındır and Vitek are not the only departures. Onana has also rejoined Trabzonspor on loan after making 40 appearances for the Turkish club last season. He will now play alongside Mohamed Salah, who has begun the next stage of his career in Trabzon.

For United, moving Bayındır’s salary and possibly collecting a fee makes financial sense, particularly as the club continues to deal with the consequences of expensive mistakes from previous transfer windows. Selling Vitek would add further relief after a summer in which the Red Devils have already spent £83 million ($111 million) on just two players: Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Bruno Guimaraes’ move from Newcastle United to Arsenal raises the usual question that follows a new signing: which shirt number will he take? For most players, it is a practical choice. For some, it carries real weight. For Guimaraes, there appears to be only one option.

Back in 2023, the Brazilian midfielder explained to The Players’ Tribune why No. 39 means so much to him. “The number tells a story more beautiful than words can say,” he said. “I know people think it’s a weird number for a footballer. But for me 39 is special—no, it’s more than that. It’s magical. The No. 39 gave me everything in life. … It fed me, clothed me and paid for three-hour bus rides to pursue my dream.”

The reason is deeply personal. As Guimarães revealed, #039 was the dispatch number for his father’s taxi cab in Rio de Janeiro. His father’s work shaped the midfielder’s childhood, with long days spent driving through the city and rare moments of release reserved for watching his son play on Saturday.

Guimarães’ path to the top was not simple. At one stage, he was so unsure of his future that he obtained a driver’s license in case he followed the family trade. His turning point came with a loan move to Athletico Paranaense in 2017, when his father called and urged him toward the same number. “What about 39? That is more than a number. 039 gave us everything we have, Bruno. Our house, our food, our furniture, your football boots. It was all because of our taxi.”

He was already due to wear 39 when he arrived, and the number was handed to him by chance. He and his father both broke down in tears.

Since then, he has carried those digits at Lyon and Newcastle, and even tattooed them on his right calf. Arsenal do not currently have anyone wearing the shirt, which clears the way for Guimarães to continue with the number that has followed him throughout his career.

There is history there too. Francis Coquelin wore No. 39 on his Premier League debut, while Héctor Bellerín also spent time with it during his Arsenal career. More recently, academy midfielder Harrison Dudziak briefly held the number before being released over the summer.