Liverpool can exploit genius loophole with new winger signing and bypass Premier League rule

Liverpool are able to sign both of their top winger targets this summer by exploiting a Premier League loophole.

The Reds have made two signings so far this summer with the additions of Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz but are making further attempts to add to Andoni Iraola's squad.

Paris Saint-Germain and France star Bradley Barcola has been earmarked as a top target all summer and both clubs are in dialogue over a potential big-money transfer.

But fresh reports from France state that Liverpool are also keen on signing his teammate Ibrahim Mbaye.

The 18-year-old, the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history, has played 41 times for Luis Enrique's side and is seen as a player with serious potential for the future.

Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport says that Mbaye himself has given the green light to move to Anfield and talks are set to begin.

Liverpool want to sign both Barcola and Mbaye and it's emerged that they are able to do so without any issues when it comes to registration from the Premier League.

As highlighted by Jack Lusby from This is Anfield, it does not matter that there is only non-homegrown spot in Liverpool's squad.

That's because Mbaye does not yet need to be registered as he would not be considered a senior player in the Premier League squad.

Should he sign, he would not need to be registered with that status until the 2029/30 season - by which point he will have turned 21.

And in a major bonus for Liverpool, Mbaye will later count as a homegrown player under Premier League rules.

Contracted until 2028, the Senegal international is said to be valued at around £35 million by PSG. His transfer appears to much more straightforward than a potential deal for Barcola, who would be a hefty purchase.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool and PSG are in talks - with the Reds looking to make an offer of £85.6 million.

However, having seen the market this summer - where Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson have moved for huge fees - PSG are believed to have a higher valuation of Barcola.

The French and European champions look to have already wrapped up his replacement, with a £42.8 million deal for Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche set to go ahead.

Speaking on potential incomings last month, new Liverpool boss Iraola said: "I think it is difficult to say a number. When the market is open, you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad.

"There are obvious situations where we need to sign players. Winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have.

"We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust, but it is still not the ideal situation, so it will depend on a lot of things."