Manchester City have moved ahead of Aston Villa in the pursuit of PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye, according to a former Premier League scout.
Bryan King, who spent years identifying talent for Villa, told Football Insider that City will be the favourites to get a deal over the line for the 18-year-old, whose agent is the influential Jorge Mendes.
Mbaye scored three goals and provided two assists for PSG last season, making 10 league starts and 24 appearances in total. He initially broke into the first team during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring his first Ligue 1 goal in March last year. The Senegal international also featured at the World Cup, finding the net against France in the group stage.
His contract at the Parc des Princes runs until 2028, but he is reportedly pushing for an exit this summer. Interest has stepped up following Morgan Rogers' £117m move to Chelsea, a fee that has reshuffled the market for young attacking talent.
Mendes factor
Jorge Mendes represents Mbaye, and the super-agent's relationship with City is well established. Villa, by contrast, do not currently have a single Mendes client on their books, though they will hope to change that with Mbaye.
When a player of Mendes wants to move, he tends to know which clubs can get it done. City, so far, have been quieter on the Mbaye front — but if King's reading is correct, they are waiting to strike.
For now, the Blues hold the stronger hand. Whether they choose to play it before the 23rd August season start remains to be seen.