Aston Villa have agreed a 55 million euro deal to sign 18-year-old winger Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain.
According to The Athletic, the Premier League club reached an agreement in principle with the French champions for the transfer of the young attacker. Mbaye had long been reported as heading to Liverpool, but Aston Villa moved to finalize the transaction. The relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris was reported as key to closing the deal.
The potential departure of Mbaye adds to a historic windfall for Paris Saint-Germain during the current transfer window. Having won back-to-back Champions League titles, PSG are set to sell five substitute players for a total of 322 million euros, a sum that could rise to nearly 400 million euros with add-ons. That total includes winger Bradley Barcola, who is finalizing a move to Liverpool for 115 million euros plus 25 million euros in bonuses, bringing that single deal to as much as 140 million euros.
Aston Villa attack overhaul
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery confirmed the departure of England international striker Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, alongside the incoming arrival of Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson as his replacement. Speaking in a press conference, Emery explained that the club did not wish to sell players, but acted out of responsibility after the players requested departures and beneficial financial terms were presented. He added that these transfers do not alter Aston Villa's ambition to remain competitive and challenge near the top of the league table.
Watkins, who is 30 years old, was left out of the squad for Aston Villa's 4-0 defeat against Brighton during the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Emery noted that Watkins apologized after the match and admitted making a mistake. Emery and the squad accepted the apology, citing the forward's previously flawless attitude toward the club. Emery said he embraced Watkins with a warm hug and tears upon his departure before turning focus to the arrival of Jackson.
Saudi Arabia moves and Leao decision
Al-Hilal are also set to acquire Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal alongside Watkins. Meanwhile, fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad are seeking to sign Japanese attacker Ritsu Doan from Eintracht Frankfurt to replace outgoing winger Moussa Diaby.
In another major transfer narrative, Portuguese winger Rafael Leao is set to join Turkish side Galatasaray from AC Milan in a package exceeding 45 million euros, including performance add-ons and a sell-on clause, according to reporter Fabrizio Romano. Aston Villa had previously pushed to sign Leao, and earlier reports indicated he favored a move to the English side, but Galatasaray improved their contract offer to secure his agreement.
Ligue 1 developments and Chelsea talks
Elsewhere in France, Olympique de Marseille have yet to register a single incoming transfer as the French deadline of September 1 at 8:00 p.m. approaches. Marseille must complete player exits first, with defender Leonardo Balerdi nearing a loan move with an option to buy to Italian club AS Roma.
Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara is in talks over a potential transfer to Chelsea, according to reporter Fabrizio Romano. Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cisse is close to completing a transfer to Strasbourg, while Nice are targeting former Saint-Etienne left-back Niels Nkounkou from Eintracht Frankfurt in the event that Melvin Bard departs the club.
Brentford have confirmed the signing of Senegalese left-back Malick Diouf following West Ham United's relegation from the Premier League.
Spanish club movements and squad news
In Spain, second-division side CD Leganes have completed the surprising acquisition of striker Alvaro Morata.
At Real Madrid, Brazilian forward Endrick is set to remain with the club despite limited playing time, according to Fabrizio Romano. Real Madrid management and manager Jose Mourinho insisted on keeping the player, and Endrick has no intention of leaving despite inquiries from multiple teams.
Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez will miss his team's upcoming match against FC Sevilla, who won their opening two fixtures. Atletico manager Diego Simeone confirmed Alvarez's absence in a press conference, stating that the club had been clear regarding the player's situation and that he hoped to help Alvarez maintain his importance once available.
Villarreal have signed Anderlecht player Saliba and are evaluating a loan move for Bayern Munich forward Ibrahimovic, according to reports from The Sun. Meanwhile, former PSG midfielder Ander Herrera will play for free at Spanish third-division side Real Zaragoza.
Further European transfer updates
In England, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris addressed reports linking the club with Santos winger Igor Paixao. Speaking in a press conference quoted by the BBC, Le Bris stated that he was focused on upcoming matches while placing trust in sporting director Florian Ghisolfi and owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. Le Bris declined to comment on individual targets but expressed confidence that the club would succeed before the transfer window closes.
Manchester City are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Elsewhere in non-transfer news, Ligue 1 confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain's fixture against Rennes has been rescheduled to take place at the Parc des Princes, though PSG received a fine. In Italy, Cagliari player Yael Trepy has been discharged from the hospital after recovering from a swimming pool drowning incident.
