Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye after the 18-year-old gave his approval to the move. The Senegal international is expected to travel to Birmingham on Saturday for a medical ahead of completing a €55million transfer.
Villa reached an agreement with PSG on Friday, but Mbaye’s approval remained the major outstanding step.
That hurdle has now been cleared.
Le Parisien reports that Mbaye has given Aston Villa the green light, with the remaining details of the transfer close to being finalised.
The teenager is expected to head to Birmingham on Saturday to undergo his medical before signing a five-year contract, with Villa holding an option for another season.
Ibrahim Mbaye set for Aston Villa medical
RMC Sport also reports that Mbaye has now agreed to join Villa and is expected to fly to England on Saturday to complete the final formalities of his transfer. (getfootballnewsfrance.com)
It represents significant progression from the €55m club-to-club agreement ReadAstonVilla reported on Friday.
Mbaye scored three goals and registered two assists across 24 Ligue 1 appearances last season. Sky Sports reports that Villa have viewed the Senegal international as a long-term target, with Liverpool also exploring a potential move earlier in the window.
Villa are committing a substantial sum to a player still at the beginning of his senior career, but Mbaye’s profile helps explain the investment.
Our detailed look at what €55m Ibrahim Mbaye could bring to Aston Villa highlighted his direct running, acceleration and ability to attack defenders one-v-one.
Aston Villa rebuild continues
Mbaye would become the latest addition to an attack transformed during the final stages of the window.
Nicolas Jackson has already completed his club-record move from Chelsea, while Villa switched attention elsewhere after missing out on Rafael Leão to Galatasaray.
Sky Sports says the Mbaye agreement is worth around £47m, approximately €55m.
The medical is now the next major step.
Barring a late issue, Villa appear increasingly close to adding one of PSG’s brightest young talents to Unai Emery’s rapidly rebuilt squad.
