Ibrahim Mbaye takes off. The 18-year-old winger, trained at Paris Saint-Germain, leaves the Parisian club to join England and Aston Villa. The Birmingham club, winner of the previous edition of the Europa League, paid 55 million euros to dislodge the native of Trappes, also in Liverpool’s sights. “Aston Villa are pleased to announce the signing of Ibrahim Mbaye, from Paris Saint-Germain. The Senegalese international, a promising and exciting young prospect who scored for his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joins the club on a permanent transfer. After making his PSG debut at the age of 16, the winger won two UEFA Champions League titles, two Ligue 1 titles, one Coupe de France and two UEFA Super Cups. He has 15 caps for his country and, by scoring at the recent World Cup, he became the youngest African player to score at a final tournament in the history of the competition», Officially communicated the residents of Villa Park.
On the move for many months, Mbaye seemed to be heading towards Anfield and Liverpool. Indeed, an agreement on the basis of a five-year contract had been found between the Senegalese international (15 caps) and the Reds, who completed the arrival of Mbaye’s now ex-teammate at PSG, Bradley Barcola. However, Liverpool leaders lost patience with the demands of PSG, who had set the bar of 70 million euros during the negotiations. A sum that Villa, who managed to overtake the Reds thanks in particular to the good relations between Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and the owner of Villa, Nasser Sawiris, will not have ultimately paid.
New stage in Ibrahim Mbaye’s career
Launched by Luis Enrique in the first team in August 2024 at the age of 16, Mbaye benefited from the Spanish technician’s desire to install the young hopes of the training center in his group to find a place. His qualities of speed and percussion on the sides also convinced the former FC Barcelona coach, who then made him a useful player in the attacking rotation.
Less used by Luis Enrique upon his return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Mbaye was finally shown the exit door. Also barred by the strong competition in attack with Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia, but also the new arrivals Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Godts, the one who played 42 games with PSG (4 goals and 4 assists) will therefore try to write his own history in Birmingham.
