Aston Villa Signs Ibrahim Mbaye for £47m as Emery Reshapes Squad

Aston Villa have struck a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign winger Ibrahim Mbaye in a deal worth around £47m, as Unai Emery’s evolving squad takes on a radically new shape.

The 18-year-old, who operates mainly off the right, made 24 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG last season, scoring three goals and supplying two assists. Long on Premier League radars, he now looks set to land in Birmingham as the latest piece of Emery’s rebuild.

Villa moved decisively for Mbaye after missing out on AC Milan forward Rafa Leao, who is heading to Galatasaray. Liverpool also weighed up a move for the teenager earlier in the summer before turning their attention to his PSG teammate Bradley Barcola.

This is not a quiet refresh at Villa Park. It is a full-scale reset.

Emery’s rebuild gathers pace

Villa have already waved goodbye to Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne. The exits have not stopped there. Ollie Watkins is on his way too, with Emiliano Martinez also expected to leave.

In their place, the club have flooded the dressing room with new faces: Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi, Leon Goretzka, Joao Gomes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri have all arrived. A deal has been agreed for Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, and now Mbaye is set to follow.

Emery, speaking before Villa’s clash with Arsenal on Monday Night Football, insisted the churn is part of a clear plan rather than a fire sale.

“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.”

Time, though, is exactly what the transfer window does not offer. Deadline Day on September 1 is closing in, and Villa are trying to reshape a spine while staying competitive in the Premier League.

Watkins out, Jackson in

The most emotional twist of the summer came up front. Emery confirmed that Watkins is leaving for Al Hilal in a £50m deal, a move sealed in the aftermath of the striker missing the defeat to Brighton.

“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,” Emery said. “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 agreed a £65m deal with Chelsea for Jackson, with only the final formalities remaining after his medical on Thursday. Emery was asked whether the forward would be signed in time to feature against Arsenal.

“Hopefully,” came the answer.

That word hangs over more than just Jackson’s availability. Villa are betting big on potential with Mbaye and a cluster of new arrivals, while losing leaders and mainstays in key positions. The money is flowing in both directions. The question now is whether Emery’s “special and different ways” can turn this upheaval into a team that looks stronger, not just newer, when the window finally slams shut.