Aston Villa are poised to complete the signing of 18-year-old Senegalese forward Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee reported to be over £47 million. The deal follows Villa’s unsuccessful pursuit of Rafael Leao, who is reportedly close to joining Galatasaray from AC Milan. Mbaye, who was identified as surplus to requirements by PSG, has attracted interest from several clubs, including Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen. However, Villa’s persistence reportedly secured the signing, which is considered a significant acquisition given the competition for the young attacker’s services.
Mbaye, born in France but representing Senegal at international level, featured at the recent World Cup, scoring against France. He has the versatility to play across the attacking line, favouring the right wing but also capable on the left. During his time at PSG, Mbaye tallied four goals and three assists despite starting in only ten matches last season, reflecting the strong competition within the squad.
The transfer comes amid a period of transition at Villa Park. Manager Unai Emery has been overseeing a notable squad overhaul, with several players departing this summer, including Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Emi Martinez. The club recently secured the £65 million signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, who is expected to feature in the upcoming Premier League match against Arsenal. Additionally, Leon Goretzka, formerly of Bayern Munich, has joined Villa as a free agent.
One of the most prominent exits this summer was striker Ollie Watkins, who completed a £50 million move to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. Emery addressed Watkins’s departure, recounting a personal, emotional farewell. The manager acknowledged Watkins’s apology after the striker’s refusal to play in Villa’s opening Premier League fixture against Brighton but emphasized the positive regard in which he holds Watkins both as a player and person. Emery described the transfer fee as "crazy" for a 30-year-old and stressed the club’s need to rebuild swiftly, urging fans to understand the decisions being made during this period of change.
Meanwhile, in the English Football League Championship, Birmingham City manager Chris Davies secured an important victory in the local derby against Wrexham. Following previous criticism and a heavy defeat in the Carabao Cup, Davies’s side earned a 2-1 win at home, with two headed goals from defender Phil Neumann proving decisive. The result offered a measure of redemption for Davies after calls for his dismissal, while Wrexham, who have invested heavily this season in their promotion bid, continue to seek their first win against Birmingham since the involvement of joint owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.