Aston Villa have turned the final page of their summer transfer window with one of its most exciting signings. Aston Villa have reached an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain to sign highly-rated winger Ibrahim Mbaye in a deal worth €55 million. The move comes after Villa’s pursuit of Rafael Leão ended when the Portuguese winger chose Galatasaray over Villa Park.
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How the Deal Came Together
David Ornstein of The Athletic — who also broke the news of Barcola to Liverpool — reported that Aston Villa have agreed a deal in principle to sign Mbaye, with the fee at €55m. The relationship between PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris was key to closing the deal.
The deal is valued at €55 million, with Villa currently finalising the paperwork ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline. The club have been keeping tabs on the 18-year-old winger for some time, and the move has accelerated sharply in the final days of the window.
The Transfer at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Player | Ibrahim Mbaye |
| Nationality | Senegalese |
| Date of Birth | January 24, 2008 |
| Age | 18 |
| Position | Winger / Forward |
| From | Paris Saint-Germain |
| To | Aston Villa |
| Fee | €55 Million |
| Contract Length | 5 Years |
| Agreement Type | Agreement in Principle |
| Reported By | David Ornstein (The Athletic) |
| Agreement Date | August 28, 2026 |
Personal Terms and Medical
Mbaye has eventually agreed to join Aston Villa, after the two clubs had thrashed out the €55m deal. The player is expected to fly out to Birmingham to undergo a medical and complete final formalities to sign for Unai Emery’s side. Mbaye is set to sign a five-year deal with Villa.
Why Villa Moved for Mbaye
Villa had been locked in talks with AC Milan over Leão, with manager Unai Emery even speaking personally to the Portuguese forward as the club tried to convince him to move to Villa Park. However, Villa ultimately backed away from the deal after Leão sought a financial package that would have made him the highest-paid player at the club, which was something they were not willing to do. Leão is now heading towards a move to Galatasaray, leaving Villa to turn their attention to an alternative attacking target.
Villa have been in talks with the 18-year-old’s representatives for some time, and sources insist that, while the club pivoted towards the teenager, they were always maintaining dialogue with his camp.
Who Else Wanted Mbaye?
RB Leipzig, Chelsea and Liverpool were also interested in making a move for Mbaye. The Reds withdrew from the race after PSG’s initial demands approached €70m.
Mbaye’s Journey at PSG
Having joined Paris from FC Versailles in 2018, Mbaye continued his development at the Les Rouge et Bleu academy before joining the first-team squad for the 2024-25 season. Making his first-team debut in August 2024, the right-footed player has since made 42 appearances, scoring four goals and providing four assists.
The winger joined PSG’s academy aged 10 and became the youngest player ever to start a competitive match for the club when he faced Le Havre aged 16 years, six months and 23 days. He subsequently made his Champions League debut during the 2025/26 campaign and has also broken into the Senegal senior side. PSG list Mbaye as a right-footed forward capable of operating across the attacking positions.
Career Path
| Club | Years | Type |
|---|---|---|
| FC Versailles | — | Youth |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 2018–2026 | Academy / First Team |
| Aston Villa | 2026– | Permanent |
International Pedigree
On the international stage, Mbaye switched allegiance from France to Senegal in late 2025, earned 15 senior caps, helped Senegal win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and scored against France at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the youngest African goalscorer in the tournament’s history.
What the Move Means for Villa
Mbaye fits Villa’s direction perfectly. Rather than simply replacing experienced departures with established players, Villa are committing significant money to younger talents capable of developing under Emery. At €55m, this is far beyond speculative interest.
The Senegal international winger is on his way out of Les Parisiens, with Mbaye having not played a single minute in competitive action this season with the back-to-back UEFA Champions League winners, although he scored against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly.
Read More: Official: Galatasaray Sign Rafael Leão — AC Milan to Receive Package in Excess of €45M
FAQs
How much are Aston Villa paying for Ibrahim Mbaye?
Aston Villa have reached an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain regarding the transfer of Ibrahim Mbaye. The two clubs have settled on a deal worth an estimated €55m, whilst the relationship between Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris and PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi is believed to have been the key factor in finalising the deal.
What contract will Mbaye sign at Aston Villa?
Mbaye is set to sign a five-year deal with the Villans.
Why did Aston Villa move for Mbaye?
Aston Villa have reached a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign winger Ibrahim Mbaye. A figure in the region of £47m has been agreed between the two clubs after Villa moved to bring in the 18-year-old due to missing out on AC Milan forward Rafael Leão to Galatasaray.
What are Mbaye’s most notable career achievements?
At 18, Mbaye has already collected two Ligue 1 titles, contributed to PSG’s Champions League campaign, and scored a stoppage-time winner against RC Lens. He helped Senegal win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and scored against France at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the youngest African goalscorer in the tournament’s history.
When is Mbaye expected to complete his medical at Aston Villa?
Mbaye has eventually agreed to join Aston Villa, after the two clubs had thrashed out the €55m deal. The player is expected to fly out to Birmingham to undergo a medical and complete the final formalities.
