Ibrahim Mbaye Rejects Aston Villa Move as Liverpool and Manchester City Enter PSG Winger Race

Paris Saint-Germain's teenage winger Ibrahim Mbaye has declined the opportunity to join Aston Villa and instructed his representatives to pursue moves to Liverpool or Manchester City instead. The 18-year-old Senegalese attacker, valued at around £42 million, believes his next club should match what his camp views as elite potential capable of competing for major trophies.

Why Mbaye Rejected Aston Villa

Aston Villa held genuine discussions with Mbaye's representatives earlier this month, with talks progressing to an advanced stage. However, the player's camp ultimately pushed back on a move to Villa Park. Sources close to the negotiations reveal that Mbaye and his family believe his development would be better served by joining a club with consistent experience in challenging for the biggest honours, a criterion they felt did not apply to Villa's current trajectory.

Liverpool and Manchester City Enter the Race

Following the Villa rejection, Mbaye's agents have begun sounding out Europe's elite clubs, with Liverpool and Manchester City now positioned as primary targets. Liverpool's recruitment team has closely monitored the winger's progress during his time at PSG and continues to assess attacking options as part of their squad refresh. Manchester City, similarly, are seeking additional wide attacking reinforcements as they reshape their forward line.

However, both clubs view Mbaye as a secondary priority rather than a leading target. Liverpool's primary focus remains Bradley Barcola, the PSG forward with a £140 million price tag, while Manchester City maintain interest in multiple winger options. Neither club has positioned Mbaye among their top attacking signings at this stage, despite appreciating his long-term potential.

Contract and Valuation

Mbaye is under contract with PSG until 2028, giving the French club significant leverage in negotiations. The teenager made 31 competitive appearances for PSG last season, demonstrating regular first-team exposure. PSG have shown no urgency to sell and view Mbaye as part of their long-term project, meaning any interested club would need to meet their valuation and convince the player of the move's developmental benefits.