Aston Villa Eye £35m PSG Teen Who Shone At AFCON And World Cup: Right Decision From Emery? | OneFootball

Aston Villa are accelerating their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Ibrahim Mbaye, with discussions understood to be well underway and a deal worth around £35m (€40m) in the pipeline, according to Top Mercato. The French outlet confirmed these reports after earlier claims from UK media, including Sky Sports, which first flagged the interest back in March.

Aston Villa chase PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye in £35m summer move

Mbaye broke into PSG’s first team in 2024 and went on to break Warren Zaire-Emery’s record as the youngest player to start a game for the French side. The teenage prospect passed through the academies at ES Guyancourt and FC Versailles 78 before graduating from the youth division at PSG. He contributed three goals and two assists across his two seasons and impressed at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scoring once and providing two assists.

Aston Villa hold confidence over £35m deal

No agreement has yet been reached between all parties, but there is reported confidence on the English side that a deal can be completed for around €40m. While Mbaye is understood to be open to a departure, PSG‘s official position has yet to emerge publicly, and the French champions hold his contract until June 2028. Luis Enrique has reportedly grown frustrated with Mbaye’s intensity since his AFCON return, which now opens a door that Villa are clearly willing to walk through.

Villa face stiff competition from other Premier League clubs, with recent reports linking the forward with Chelsea and Liverpool as well. His involvement with the Senegal national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup could significantly increase his market value if he performs well on the global stage.

What is the best move for Aston Villa here?

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 28: Ibrahim Mbaye of Senegal runs with the ball during the international friendly match between Senegal and Peru at Stade de France on March 28, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)

Aston Villa need to act decisively and act soon. A move that sees Mbaye start regularly would appeal to him, and Villa could genuinely offer that platform under Emery. PSG, despite their cold public stance, are dealing with a player who clearly wants out, and that matters. The £35m fee looks fair right now, before the World Cup pushes his value through the roof.

Waiting is the real risk here. If Mbaye produces even two or three good performances on the world stage this summer, every club in Europe will chase him harder, and PSG will raise their asking price without hesitation. Aston Villa, who already have Champions League credibility to sell, hold a reasonable hand. The smartest play is to get the deal tied up before the tournament begins, because after it, this conversation gets far more expensive.