Liverpool could be gearing up for a bigger splash in attack under Andoni Iraola, who’s still eyeing reinforcements ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. So far the additions have been modest — Víctor Muñoz and a loan deal for Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo to add depth at centre-back — a far cry from last summer’s £400m+ spending spree under Arne Slot. But that could be about to change, with a handful of promising young attackers on the radar.
PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye has become an increasingly serious target after the 18-year-old was reportedly cleared to leave the club this summer. The Senegalese talent has drawn interest from Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen too, though Liverpool have gone as far as opening talks with PSG over a fee in the region of £45m. Mbaye made the most of limited game time last term, chipping in with six goal contributions mainly from the right flank, and his knack for direct running and taking on defenders — averaging roughly 1.9 successful dribbles per 90 — makes him a tempting option as Liverpool look to fill the gap left by Mohamed Salah.
But Mbaye might not be the headline name. Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri is reportedly on Liverpool’s radar too, with the Reds keeping close tabs on the 19-year-old. Nwaneri featured just six times in the Premier League last season and could be open to a move away from the Emirates, with Arsenal said to favor a loan though a fee near £55m might tempt them into a permanent sale.
Young as he is, Nwaneri already boasts real senior pedigree — 51 Arsenal appearances since debuting back in 2022 — and his loan spell at Marseille showcased real quality in the final third. His passing and chance creation numbers actually edge out Mbaye’s, and his 44% cross-completion rate not only beats the PSG man’s but ranks among the best of any attacker in Europe’s top five leagues. He also managed three goal contributions in just 322 minutes on the pitch.
A £55m outlay would be a hefty commitment, but Nwaneri’s ceiling might justify it — especially if regular football at Anfield unlocks the next stage of his development. Mbaye remains an exciting name in his own right, but the underlying numbers hint that Nwaneri could end up being the bigger prize for Liverpool this summer.
