Report: Chelsea and Aston Villa set to battle in the race to sign AFCON star

Premier League Giants Track Ibrahim Mbaye as PSG Stand Firm

The January window is often a marketplace for opportunity, and few young players are attracting more attention right now than Paris Saint Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. According to Florian Plettenberg, several Premier League clubs are closely monitoring the 18 year old, with Chelsea and Aston Villa named among those keeping a particularly close watch.

The interest underlines how quickly Mbaye’s reputation has grown. From a promising academy product to a player trusted with meaningful minutes for one of Europe’s most powerful clubs, his rise has been rapid. Yet despite the growing admiration from England, Paris Saint Germain are in no mood to loosen their grip.

As Plettenberg reported, “Several Premier League clubs would love to sign Ibrahim Mbaye before Deadline Day. Chelsea and Aston Villa, for example, are closely monitoring him.” That alone places Mbaye firmly on the Premier League radar, but it is what follows that defines the current reality of the situation.

PSG Determined to Keep Hold of Mbaye

While Premier League sides circle, Paris Saint Germain are resolute in their stance. Plettenberg added, “However, PSG want to keep him. A new contract is even possible. There are currently NO thoughts of letting him go. Promising 18 y/o winger is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2028.”

That message is unambiguous. PSG see Mbaye as part of their future, not a short-term asset to be cashed in on. The possibility of a new contract reflects both reward and protection, a way of tying down a player whose value is only likely to rise.

For Chelsea and Aston Villa, this presents a familiar challenge. Identifying elite young talent is one thing, prising it away from a club with PSG’s financial and sporting power is quite another. Any move this month looks highly unlikely, but the interest itself suggests that both clubs are planning well beyond this window.

Mbaye’s Impact at Club and International Level

Mbaye’s numbers this season provide context for the growing excitement. He has featured in 21 matches across all competitions for PSG, amassing 960 minutes. In that time, he has scored once and provided two assists.

While those figures may not leap off the page, they tell only part of the story. For an 18 year old breaking into a squad stacked with senior internationals, minutes alone are a significant endorsement. PSG’s willingness to trust him in competitive fixtures signals belief in his development.

On the international stage, Mbaye has also made his mark. He played a meaningful role in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, making six appearances, mostly as a substitute, and contributing a goal and two assists in just 170 minutes of action.

That tournament experience, combined with exposure to elite club football, has accelerated his growth. Scouts and sporting directors across Europe place heavy value on players who have already tasted pressure environments, and Mbaye now ticks that box.

Premier League Interest Reflects Long Term Planning

Chelsea and Aston Villa’s monitoring of Mbaye speaks to broader recruitment strategies. Both clubs have invested heavily in youth, targeting players with high ceilings rather than only established names.

For Chelsea, this aligns with a policy that has seen them stockpile young attacking talent. For Aston Villa, it reflects a desire to deepen quality while remaining competitive in both domestic and European competition.

Mbaye’s profile fits both models. Quick, technically gifted, and already seasoned by major tournaments, he represents the kind of player who could develop into a top level winger within a few seasons.

For now, however, the balance of power remains firmly in Paris. PSG hold the contract, the leverage, and the sporting appeal. Premier League clubs can admire, monitor, and plan, but any serious pursuit is likely to be one for the future rather than the final days of this window.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Both Chelsea and Villa have become accustomed to being linked with exciting young talent, only to see deals blocked by powerful selling clubs.

Chelsea fans may see Mbaye as another example of the club’s long-term vision. The idea of adding an 18 year old winger with international experience fits a strategy built around potential and resale value. Supporters will like the ambition, but many will also question whether there is room for yet another developing attacker in a crowded squad.

For Aston Villa fans, the link feels more targeted. Villa’s recent rise has been built on smart recruitment and a clear pathway into the first team. Mbaye could be seen as a player who, over time, might grow into a key role rather than being one of many prospects.

Both sets of supporters will recognise the reality, PSG are unlikely to sell now. The hope will be that continued monitoring keeps the door open for a future move, especially if Mbaye’s minutes become limited or if contract talks stall.

For now, this feels like groundwork rather than a deal. But it is the kind of groundwork that often precedes major transfers in later windows.

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