Aston Villa Agree Deal for Teen Winger Ibrahim Mbaye

Aston Villa have struck a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign teenage winger Ibrahim Mbaye in a deal worth around £47m, as Unai Emery’s rebuild gathers yet more pace.

The 18-year-old, who operates mainly from the right, made 24 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG last season, scoring three times and providing two assists. Villa have moved decisively after missing out on AC Milan forward Rafa Leao, who is joining Galatasaray.

Mbaye has been on Premier League radars for months. Sky Sports News reported in March that Villa were among the English clubs tracking him, while Liverpool also explored a move earlier this summer before switching their focus to his PSG teammate Bradley Barcola. Villa, though, have pushed hardest – and now have an agreement in place with the French champions.

Emery’s squad ripped up and rebuilt

Mbaye’s arrival comes at the end of a turbulent summer at Villa Park. Key figures Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne have all departed, with Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez also expected to leave.

Villa have not stood still. Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi, Leon Goretzka, Joao Gomes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri have already come through the door, while a deal is agreed for Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. Mbaye is the latest piece in a squad being reshaped at speed.

Speaking before Villa’s clash with Arsenal on Monday Night Football, Emery was clear that the upheaval is part of a deliberate strategy as Deadline Day on September 1 looms.

“We took some decisions because it's good for the club. We tried to compete as good as possible, but some situations are clear,” he said.

“It's the right way and decision. We don't want to be a club to sell players, but our responsibility is there. For the club it's a good deal.

“It's not changing our priorities to be competitive. We must be the same. Strong development with the players.

“I am confident and positive. The players we are signing are good players. We need to get balance with experience and players with huge potential.

“Of course, I want to keep some players, the ones who help us to be successful. But I accept it because I have experience before in the same situation.

“I expect to continue to do special and different ways. The objective is to get progressively in the same way. We will need time.”

That “huge potential” line might as well be stamped across Mbaye’s signing. An 18-year-old winger from PSG, stepping into a Premier League side that expects to compete in Europe, is exactly the type of high-upside gamble Emery is leaning into.

Watkins out, Jackson in

The most emotional change has come at centre-forward. Emery confirmed that Watkins is leaving, with the England striker set to join Al Hilal in a £50m deal after missing the defeat to Brighton.

Emery revealed Watkins apologised for his absence and stressed how highly he regards the 28-year-old.

“Watkins said sorry after Brighton. He made a mistake. He always had good behaviour in the club and with me. He's a fantastic guy. I told him 'bye', with a huge hug and a small cry.

“Now it's a new chapter with Nicolas Jackson. Of course, all the best for him in Saudi. We are replacing him.”

Villa have lined up Jackson from Chelsea as Watkins’ successor, with a £65m move close to completion after the striker underwent a medical on Thursday. Asked if Jackson would be signed in time to feature against Arsenal on Monday, Emery replied: “Hopefully.”

So Villa move on quickly. Watkins out, Jackson in. Established names gone, hungry replacements arriving. And now, from Paris, a teenage winger with the pace and flair to change games on his own.

Mbaye will walk into a dressing room that looks very different from the one that finished last season. The question now is not whether Emery can rebuild – he already has – but how fast this new-look Villa can turn raw potential into results.