Aston Villa and Chelsea want to sign AFCON winner Ibrahim Mbaye.placeholder image
Aston Villa and Chelsea want to sign AFCON winner Ibrahim Mbaye. | AFP via Getty Images
The latest transfer news as Aston Villa and Chelsea target an Africa Cup of Nations winner.
Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye but face competition from at least one of their Premier League rivals.
The Villans, eager to improve in wide areas, are keeping close tabs on a host of options. Unai Emery, working alongside Roberto Olabe, Damian Vidagany and Villa’s scouting staff, always has a growing shortlist as he seeks to make the best of the club’s difficult financial situation.
Two signings have already been finalised this month, both with the future in mind, as 19-year-old winger Alysson joined from Gremio and 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo put pen to paper from FC Metz. But the business certainly isn’t done there, as Villa are closing in on a swoop for ex-England international Tammy Abraham and yet more could come through the door.
Villa and Chelsea eye PSG wonderkid
Mbaye could be another signed this month if Emery is to get his way, as Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg reports Villa are among a host of Premier League clubs interested and ‘would love’ to sign the 18-year-old. Chelsea are named as another English top-flight side keen on Mbaye.
It could be difficult for Villa or Chelsea to sign Mbaye, however, as PSG are said to have ‘no thoughts of letting him go’. If anything, Mbaye may be more likely to sign a new contract than leave the Parc des Princes as talks are underway over improved terms in the French capital.
Nonetheless, it cannot be ruled out that Mbaye makes a move at some stage, and therefore the likes of Villa and Chelsea will no doubt keep a close eye on his situation. The teenager, who made six substitute appearances during Senegal’s recent Africa Cup of Nations triumph, is bound to improve as the years go by.
Mbaye only turned 18 this week and his minutes are only going to steadily increase at PSG. So far this season, the French-Senegalese winger has scored one goal and provided two assists in eight Ligue 1 starts. The competition for a starting place with the Champions League champions is of course fierce, but a player of Mbaye’s potential cannot be ignored.
Continue Reading