Aston Villa foiled over PSG pursuit in repeat of Antoine Semenyo transfer drama
Aston Villa had a productive transfer window, but they didn’t land all of their targets.
After a flurry of injuries and Donyell Malen’s loan departure to Roma, Villa signed Besiktas striker Tammy Abraham late last month.
Despite doubts being raised following a subpar stint at Nottingham Forest in the first half of the season, Villa recruited Juventus flop Douglas Luiz on loan as the nostalgic signings continued.
Villa did try and bring in Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, but Tottenham pipped them to the midfielder’s signature.
Unai Emery’s side recalled winger Leon Bailey from his Roma loan, but it turns out Villa were also looking at another wide option in the winter window.
Aston Villa considered Paris Saint-Germain talent
Amid their Premier League title push, Villa enquired about Everton’s James Garner, but that came to nothing as the midfielder signed a contract extension.
The Villa Park outfit looked elsewhere and, according to The Athletic, turned their attention towards Paris Saint-Germain’s Ibrahim Mbaye.
The 5ft 9in right winger only turned 18 last month, but already the young Senegalese star is impressing for both club and country.
Mbaye became Senegal’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Africa Cup of Nations last month with his strike against Sudan in the last 16 at 17 years, 11 months, and 10 days.
And it seems Villa were convinced by his potential, but once again, the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules got in the way of a potential pursuit.
The report adds that Villa were unable to offer the finances necessary, just as was the case with Antoine Semenyo last summer before he joined Manchester City for £62.5million in January, but there was “doubt” over whether PSG would sell Mbaye anyway.
Villa may still keep tabs on the Senegal international, who has scored one goal and added two assists in 16 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG this season.
Have Aston Villa left themselves short in the transfer window?
In recent weeks, Villa’s luck has been thin on the ground. Midfielders Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans are facing long-term knee and foot injuries, respectively.
Captain John McGinn may not be back until April with a knee problem, and striker Ollie Watkins has a thigh issue of his own.
Defender Andres Garcia is out injured, and January signing Alysson is also nursing a knee complaint. As a result, are Villa stretching themselves too thin?
They are seven points behind league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race, are into round four of the FA Cup and the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Competing on three fronts is not an easy task, so, do Villa have the squad to handle such a challenge?
Having an inadequate number of bodies can really derail a team in the second half of the season. Villa will hope their injured crew can return soon and their recruits can hit the ground running.