Aston Villa Secures £47m Deal for PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye
Aston Villa have reached a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign highly rated winger Ibrahim Mbaye in a deal worth around £47m, as Unai Emery rips up and rewrites his forward line days before the transfer deadline.
The 18-year-old, who operates primarily from the right, is set to leave the French champions after making 24 Ligue 1 appearances last season, scoring three times and providing two assists. Villa moved decisively after missing out on AC Milan forward Rafa Leao, who is joining Galatasaray.
Villa had been tracking Mbaye for months. Sky Sports News revealed in March that the teenager was on the radar of several Premier League clubs, with Villa among those weighing up a move. Liverpool also explored a deal earlier this summer before switching their attention to Mbaye’s PSG teammate Bradley Barcola.
This time, Villa refused to blink.
Emery reshapes Villa squad
Mbaye’s arrival is the latest step in a summer of major upheaval at Villa Park. Key figures Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne have all departed, while Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez are also expected to leave.
The exits have been met with a flood of arrivals. Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi, Leon Goretzka, Joao Gomes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri have all come through the door. A deal is already in place for Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, and now Mbaye is set to join that growing list.
Speaking ahead of Villa’s clash with Arsenal on Monday Night Football, Emery was clear that the churn is part of a deliberate plan, not a fire sale.
“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 change of all comes at centre-forward.
Emery confirmed that Ollie Watkins is leaving, with the striker set to join Al Hilal in a £50m deal after missing the defeat to Brighton. The Villa boss revealed Watkins had apologised for his part in the saga.
“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,” Emery admitted.
Villa have wasted no time sourcing a replacement. Nicolas Jackson is lined up from Chelsea, with only the final details of a £65m move to be completed after his medical on Thursday.
“Now it's a new chapter with Nicolas Jackson. Of course, all the best for him in Saudi. We are replacing him,” Emery said.
Asked if Jackson would be signed in time to feature against Arsenal on Monday, Emery’s answer was short and loaded with intent: “Hopefully.”
With Mbaye poised to follow, Villa’s attack is being rebuilt at speed and at significant cost. The question now is not whether Emery is backing his vision, but how quickly this new-look side can turn all that investment into points.
