Aston Villa complete £47m Mbaye signing
September 1, 2026 10:50
Aston Villa have agreed a permanent deal to sign 18-year-old winger Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris St-Germain for a fee reported at €55m (£47m). The move brings a teenager with senior club experience in France to Unai Emery’s squad.
Mbaye featured regularly for PSG last season, recording three goals and two assists across 31 appearances, and he arrives after a breakthrough in international football with Senegal at the 2026 World Cup.
KEY CONTEXT
Mbaye progressed through PSG’s academy after joining from FC Versailles 78 in 2018 and made his senior debut in August 2024 at 16. He was born in France and played for French youth teams before switching his national allegiance to Senegal in 2025 through his father. He played in all four of Senegal’s matches at the 2026 World Cup and scored in the 3-1 loss to France, becoming the youngest African scorer at a men’s World Cup. An image caption in the source notes he has been capped 15 times by Senegal.
PSG retained both their Ligue 1 crown and the Champions League last season, while Villa have spent heavily in the current window and added Mbaye to a group of forwards that already includes Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson.
WHY IT MATTERS
The transfer represents a significant investment by Villa in youth attacking talent and continues their summer recruitment drive. Mbaye’s club and international experience at a young age — including goals in major competitions — offers Emery added options on the wing as Villa reshape their squad following a string of high-profile departures.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- How Emery integrates Mbaye with the other recent attacking signings (Garnacho, Manzambi, Jackson).
- Whether Mbaye’s profile and experience will help cover the gaps left by this summer’s outgoing players.
- His playing time and role in Villa’s plans as the season begins.
KEY FACTS
- Transfer fee: €55m (£47m) from PSG to Aston Villa.
- Age: 18; position: winger.
- 2025-26 club season: 3 goals and 2 assists in 31 appearances.
- International: played all four of Senegal’s matches at the 2026 World Cup; scored vs France; 15 caps for Senegal.
- Youth/club background: joined PSG from FC Versailles 78 in 2018; senior debut August 2024; born in France and switched international allegiance to Senegal in 2025.