Xabi Alonso_V1
Chelsea have entered the race for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye after making concrete moves to sign the teenager, according to French newspaper L’Équipe. The report claims the Blues have gone beyond simple scouting interest and have already taken genuine steps as competition for one of Europe’s brightest young attackers gathers pace.
The 18-year-old has become one of the most sought-after names in the market after informing PSG that he wants a move in search of regular first-team football. That decision has sparked interest from several leading clubs. Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen remain firmly involved, while Chelsea continue to monitor every development closely.
PSG have no intention of letting him leave cheaply. The Ligue 1 champions value the Senegal international between €30 million and €50 million, despite his limited role under Luis Enrique. During the 2025/26 league campaign, Mbaye scored four goals and produced four assists. Across all competitions, he finished with four goals and four assists in 42 appearances, helping PSG secure another Ligue 1 title and the UEFA Super Cup.
Why Ibrahim Mbaye to Chelsea doesn’t solve a problem
Nobody questions Mbaye’s talent. He backed up his outstanding Africa Cup of Nations displays by scoring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Senegal, proving he can handle football’s biggest occasions. Chelsea, though, already have a crowded group of wide attackers competing for minutes every week.
That creates an obvious issue. Mbaye wants guaranteed playing time, which is exactly why he has pushed for an exit from Paris. Xabi Alonso simply cannot offer that without leaving established players frustrated or slowing the progress of younger talents already inside the squad.
Financial sense should come first
Chelsea have spent heavily over several transfer windows, yet Profit and Sustainability Rules still demand sensible planning. Spending €40 million or more on another young winger feels difficult to defend when other positions require greater attention.
Alonso has spoken openly about building a balanced squad instead of collecting talent for the sake of it. That philosophy matters here. Chelsea already possess enough quality in the wide areas, while strengthening the defensive unit would have a far greater impact on the team’s overall structure.
Read: Xabi is a big fan – Chelsea favourites to complete signing of £65m
Another factor shouldn’t be ignored either. Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen appear capable of offering a clearer pathway into the starting line-up, which aligns with the player’s own priorities. Entering an expensive bidding contest for someone whose biggest demand is regular football looks like unnecessary business, regardless of how gifted Ibrahim Mbaye already is.