Aston Villa Sign Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG for €55m
Aston Villa have struck an agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Ibrahim Mbaye in a €55m (£47m) deal, landing one of Europe’s most coveted young wingers and dealing a sharp blow to Liverpool’s summer plans.
The 18-year-old, already with 42 senior appearances for PSG, is expected at Villa Park for a medical on Saturday before signing a five-year contract, with an option for a further year. Barring late drama, he will become the second wide addition of the window, joining Alejandro Garnacho, who arrived on loan from Chelsea.
For Villa, this is not a luxury signing. It is a rescue act.
Unai Emery’s side opened their Premier League campaign with a brutal 4-0 defeat at Brighton, a result made worse by the sending-off of Joao Gomes. They head into matchweek two of the 2026-27 season bottom of the table, short on confidence and even shorter on cutting edge out wide. Mbaye is being brought in to change that picture quickly.
Villa win a crowded race
Villa were far from alone in chasing Mbaye. Chelsea and RB Leipzig both made approaches in recent days as the teenager’s future came to a head, but Villa’s persistence and financial commitment have pushed them to the front of the queue.
Liverpool had tracked Mbaye throughout the summer and were heavily linked, yet their pursuit faded once PSG’s initial demands climbed towards €70m. According to RMC Sport, that figure forced the Anfield hierarchy to walk away and look elsewhere, opening the door for Villa to close the deal at €55m.
The shift was swift. While Liverpool recalibrated, Villa accelerated, sensing an opportunity to land a player many clubs see as a long-term star.
Liverpool turn to Minteh as Brighton dig in
With Mbaye off the table, Liverpool have already pivoted to alternative targets. High on their list is Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, but prising him away from the south coast is proving anything but simple.
Liverpool have seen two bids rejected – £50m and then £60m – as Brighton stand firm. Head coach Fabian Hurzeler made it clear he values Minteh highly, even as he refused to completely close the door on a late move.
“Rumours. Rumours,” Hurzeler said when asked about Liverpool’s interest. “Let’s see what happens. Again, another example of a player who benefits from the success of the team.
“He benefits for example from hard work from Pascal [Gross], hard work from Jack Hinshelwood, hard work from all the other players.
“And he knows it. Therefore I also think it’s important to understand as a player what you have here, playing for a club like Brighton.
“You have a club that gives you the chance, you team-mates who are really trying to push you, you have a club that is there for you also in tough moments.
“[New Man United signing] Carlos Baleba had so many tough moments when he was here, Minteh also had tough moments, but we were always there for them, always tried to help them, their team-mates are there for them.
“So I think it’s also important for the players to understand what they have here with this club, how the fans are connected, how we are working together.
“It’s difficult to find a similar environment, or better environment, for potential young players. But the same with Minteh, we were successful as a team, that brings attention on him, so let’s see what happens.
“If you ask me if I’ll try to convince him to stay, yes I try to convince him to stay. But can I control everything? No, I can’t control everything.”
Minteh is currently sidelined with a leg injury but is understood to be open to joining Liverpool, who are keeping their options wide and active. An enquiry has already gone in for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr this week as they seek the right profile to refresh their forward line.
While Liverpool juggle targets and negotiations, Villa look set to present Mbaye as the new face of their rebuild. An 18-year-old winger, a club reeling from a heavy opening-day defeat, and a five-year contract on the table: Villa are betting big that this is the moment their season turns.
