Aston Villa are set to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye in a deal worth more than £47m after missing out on AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao.
Villa have moved quickly to reach an agreement with the reigning Champions League holders for the 18-year-old Senegal international, who has attracted interest from a number of clubs. The deal is regarded as a significant coup for Villa, who have been monitoring Mbaye for some time.
The move comes after Villa switched their attention from Leao, with the AC Milan forward nearing an agreement to join Galatasaray in Turkey. Villa had sent a delegation to Milan to negotiate a loan move for Leao, but the developing deal with Galatasaray prompted the Premier League club to pursue Mbaye instead.
Mbaye is primarily a right-sided attacker but can play across the forward line, including on the left. His versatility was an important factor in Villa’s interest as they sought an alternative after their efforts to sign Leao began to fall away.
The teenager was born in France but opted to represent Senegal at international level. He scored for the Lions against France during the World Cup after being selected for the tournament.
Mbaye has made an impact for PSG, registering one goal and two assists, although his opportunities were limited last season. He started only 10 matches for the French club, where competition for places was particularly strong.
Daily Mail Sport first reported Villa’s interest in Mbaye on 1 May, after he was considered surplus to requirements by PSG. The French side’s status as Champions League holders had increased competition within their squad, leaving Mbaye available for a potential move despite his international experience and attacking ability.
Liverpool held exploratory discussions about the player but decided not to take their interest further. Bayer Leverkusen had also previously submitted a bid for Mbaye.
Villa’s long-standing interest ultimately helped them move ahead with the deal, with the club now expected to complete the signing for a fee exceeding £47m. The agreement represents a major investment in a player who remains only 18 but has already played at a World Cup and featured for one of Europe’s leading clubs.
The proposed transfer also underlines the speed of Villa’s change in direction during the current negotiations. Their original plan was to pursue Leao on loan, but as the Milan forward moved closer to Galatasaray, Villa quickly focused on Mbaye and reached terms with PSG.