Villa sign PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye for £46.5m, ending Leao pursuit

Aston Villa have agreed in principle to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye for €55 million (£46.5m), a deal that simultaneously closes the door on their reported pursuit of AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.

The agreement, first reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, centres on the 18-year-old Senegalese international, who operates in the same left-sided attacking position that Leao would have filled. With final formalities now underway, Villa appear to have settled on Mbaye as their primary long-term option in that role.

A strong personal relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris is credited as a key factor in pushing the deal over the line after months of on-and-off negotiations.

Villa had been genuine contenders for Leao in the final days of the window. Manager Unai Emery had reportedly held direct talks with the Portugal international to outline his vision for the club, but the commitment of £46.5m to Mbaye makes a separate move for the AC Milan star financially and positionally redundant.

The signing arrives during a turbulent summer at Villa Park. A significant squad overhaul has seen Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, and Youri Tielemans — all key figures in last season’s Europa League campaign — leave the club, leaving Emery to rebuild under tight financial constraints.

Further uncertainty surrounds the futures of striker Ollie Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, making the addition of attacking reinforcements all the more pressing.

Mbaye had been on Villa’s radar for several months, though talks stalled at various points during the window and the teenager fielded interest from other clubs. Negotiations clearly accelerated as the transfer deadline approached, and the deal now looks set to be completed, bringing a Senegalese teenager from one of Europe’s biggest clubs to the Premier League.