Ibrahim Mbaye Rejects Aston Villa for Liverpool or Manchester City

Aston Villa have been knocked back in their pursuit of highly rated PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye, with the teenager’s camp now pushing for a move to Liverpool or Manchester City as the next step in his career.

The 18-year-old, already a 15-cap Senegal international, had held talks over a switch to Villa Park. Those discussions have cooled dramatically. Mbaye and his representatives no longer see Villa as the right platform; their sights are fixed higher, on clubs they believe can regularly deliver the game’s biggest trophies.

That stance has opened the door for Liverpool and City, who have both been offered the chance to sign the winger, according to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey. Both clubs are interested, but he stresses a key point: Mbaye is not at the top of either shortlist.

Liverpool’s real obsession lies elsewhere.

Liverpool’s wing rebuild – Barcola first, Mbaye as a bonus?

At Anfield, the wide areas are being ripped up and redrawn. Mohamed Salah has gone. Federico Chiesa could follow. If the Italian leaves, Liverpool’s senior options out wide boil down to Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo and new arrival Victor Munoz.

That is nowhere near enough for a side with Liverpool’s ambitions and schedule.

Their primary target is Bradley Barcola. The France international is the name at the top of the list, the winger Liverpool are prepared to “go all out” for before the window shuts. Barcola is keen on the move, but PSG have planted a huge price tag in the ground: around €170m (£145m).

Liverpool, Barcola’s camp and reality itself will all try to drag that number down. The club want him, but they will not want to be held hostage.

What makes the situation intriguing is that Liverpool are not ruling out signing two wingers. Even with Munoz already through the door, there is room for another if Chiesa departs, and potentially for a second if the market breaks their way.

That is where Mbaye comes into view.

Bailey reports that a move for Mbaye would be seen as a deal Liverpool could do as well as Barcola, not instead of him. The caveat is obvious: someone in the current group, most likely Chiesa, would have to make way to clear space and minutes.

PSG logjam pushes Mbaye towards the exit

Mbaye’s desire to leave Paris is easy to understand when you scan the names around him.

He managed 31 appearances for PSG last season, an impressive tally for an 18-year-old in a squad stacked with attacking talent. Luis Enrique could pick from Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Barcola in the forward line, with Goncalo Ramos and Lee Kang-In also available before their respective moves to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid.

Mbaye, right-footed and used primarily on the right flank in the 2025/26 campaign, battled through that crowd to get on the pitch. Yet the competition is only intensifying. PSG plan to bring in Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco, adding another body – and another obstacle – to the attacking rotation.

Faced with that congestion, Mbaye’s camp now believe a move away is the best route for his development. Not just any move, though. The rejection of Villa underlines their belief that the teenager belongs at the very top of the game, in a squad that expects to compete for titles every season.

So the message has gone out: Liverpool and Manchester City, if you want him, he’s available.

City watching, Liverpool weighing up the next step

For City, Mbaye represents another possible piece in a constantly evolving forward unit, but not an urgent priority. Their interest is real, according to Bailey, but measured. He is a player to monitor rather than a signing to rush.

Liverpool’s situation feels more volatile. They are in the middle of a reshaping of their attack, with one marquee target in Barcola and several moving parts around him. Mbaye, at 18, fits the profile of a long-term project who can contribute now but grow into a bigger role.

The decision at Anfield will come down to timing, price and exits. If Barcola can be prised from PSG at a palatable fee and Chiesa’s future is resolved, Mbaye becomes a live option. If the Barcola pursuit drags or collapses under PSG’s valuation, priorities may shift again.

What is clear is that Mbaye has made his call. Villa are out. The teenager wants the bright lights, the biggest stages, and the pressure that comes with them.

Now it’s on Liverpool and City to decide whether this is the moment to bet on PSG’s next breakout winger – or risk watching him explode somewhere else.