Aston Villa Set to Sign Ibrahim Mbaye for £47m from PSG
Aston Villa have reached a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign winger Ibrahim Mbaye in a deal worth around £47m, as Unai Emery’s remodelled squad takes on an even bolder shape.
The 18-year-old, who operates mainly off the right, made 24 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG last season, scoring three times and providing two assists. Villa had tracked him for months and moved decisively after missing out on AC Milan forward Rafa Leao, who is heading to Galatasaray.
Liverpool also explored a move for Mbaye earlier in the summer but switched their focus to his PSG teammate Bradley Barcola. Villa stayed in the race – and now stand on the brink of landing one of Europe’s most highly regarded young wide players.
Emery’s overhaul gathers pace
Mbaye’s arrival is the latest piece in a summer of upheaval at Villa Park.
Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne have all gone. Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez are also expected to follow them out of the door, stripping away key pillars of the side that powered Villa into the Premier League’s top bracket.
In their place, Villa have turned to a blend of youth and pedigree. Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi, Leon Goretzka, Joao Gomes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri have already come through the door. A deal is also in place to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, with Mbaye set to join that wave of recruits.
Speaking before Monday night’s trip to Arsenal, Emery made it clear this is not a fire sale, but a calculated reset.
“We took some decisions because it's good for the club. We tried to compete as good as possible, but some situations are clear,” he said.
“It's the right way and decision. We don't want to be a club to sell players, but our responsibility is there. For the club it's a good deal.
“It's not changing our priorities to be competitive. We must be the same. Strong development with the players.
“I am confident and positive. The players we are signing are good players. We need to get balance with experience and players with huge potential.
“Of course, I want to keep some players, the ones who help us to be successful. But I accept it because I have experience before in the same situation.
“I expect to continue to do special and different ways. The objective is to get progressively in the same way. We will need time.”
Watkins out, Jackson in
The most emotional departure belongs to Watkins. Emery confirmed the striker is set to join Al Hilal in a £50m move after missing the defeat to Brighton.
Emery revealed Watkins had apologised for his absence.
“Watkins said sorry after Brighton. He made a mistake. He always had good behaviour in the club and with me. He's a fantastic guy. I told him 'bye', with a huge hug and a small cry.
“Now it's a new chapter with Nicolas Jackson. Of course, all the best for him in Saudi. We are replacing him.”
Villa have agreed a £65m fee with Chelsea for Jackson, who completed his medical on Thursday. Asked if the forward would be registered in time to face Arsenal on Monday, Emery replied: “Hopefully.”
The pressure of the window is building, the exits are painful, and the arrivals are high-risk, high-reward. With Mbaye now poised to swap Paris for Birmingham, Emery’s bet is clear: tear up the old guard, back potential and personality, and see if this new-look Villa can survive – and thrive – under the weight of expectation.
