Transfer Details
- Ibrahim Mbaye: Signed from Paris St-Germain for 55 million euros (£47 million).
- Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Signed from Southampton for an initial £25 million, with £4 million in potential add-ons, totaling up to £29 million.
Aston Villa have strengthened their ranks with the acquisition of Senegal international Ibrahim Mbaye and English defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Both players are in contention to make their debuts for Unai Emery’s side in Saturday’s fixture against Hull.
The 18-year-old Mbaye joins from Paris St-Germain, where he contributed three goals and two assists across 31 appearances last season, helping the club secure both Ligue 1 and Champions League titles. Originally from France, the winger represented Les Bleus at youth levels before switching his international allegiance to Senegal in 2025. He gained global attention at the 2026 World Cup, where he became the youngest African player to score at a men’s tournament during a 3-1 loss to France. Mbaye, who joined PSG in 2018, made his senior debut at age 16 in August 2024.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis arrives at Villa Park following a successful tenure at Southampton. The 24-year-old, a product of Manchester City’s academy, joined the Saints for £20 million in 2024 after a productive loan spell. His career includes a Championship winner’s medal earned while on loan at Burnley in 2022-23, followed by a promotion via the play-offs with Southampton. His time at St Mary’s included a challenging Premier League campaign and a play-off final appearance, though the club faced a four-point deduction this season following the Spygate scandal. Harwood-Bellis previously issued an apology for a gesture made during the play-off semi-final victory over Middlesbrough.
The arrivals come as Villa reshapes its squad following the departures of several key figures. Harwood-Bellis is set to replace Ezri Konsa, who moved to Arsenal for £55 million. Other significant exits include Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for £117 million, and striker Ollie Watkins, who completed a £51 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Mbaye joins an attacking lineup that has also recently added Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi, and Nicolas Jackson. The report also notes that villa have paid an initial fee of £25m – with £4m in potential add-ons – for the 24-year-old defender after seeing two previous bids rejected. The report also notes that the teenager appeared in all four of Senegal’s matches at the 2026 World Cup. The report also notes that progressing through their youth academy and making his senior debut in August 2024 at the age of 16, mbaye joined PSG in the summer of 2018 from FC Versailles 78.
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