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Aston Villa have confirmed the arrivals of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ibrahim Mbaye from Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

Villa were in the market for a new centre-back after selling Ezri Konsa to Arsenal for £55 million, and Harwood-Bellis has been brought in as his replacement. Unai Emery’s side have agreed to pay an initial £25 million for the 24-year-old, with the deal potentially rising to £30 million through add-ons.

Harwood-Bellis has signed a five-year contract at Villa Park.

A club statement said: ‘Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton.

‘The highly-rated England international joins Villa on a permanent transfer.’

Meanwhile, Mbaye will take the No. 19 shirt after joining Villa from PSG for €55 million (£47 million).

Mbaye’s contract at Villa is understood to run until June 2031 and includes the option of an additional year.

The Senegal international is expected to strengthen Emery’s attacking options following the departures of players including Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen.

The additions of Harwood-Bellis and Mbaye continue Villa’s approach of replacing established names and slightly ageing stars with outstanding young talent.

Mbaye, in particular, looks a very exciting signing. He is only 18 years old and is understood to possess top-class potential.

PSG were keen to keep Mbaye, but the player pushed for a move in order to secure more game time.

He could go on to form a thrilling partnership with fellow attacking signings Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson.

The arrivals of Zion Suzuki and Joao Gomes have also caught the eye, while Leon Goretzka will bring experience to Villa’s midfield.

If Emery can get the best out of Alejandro Garnacho, then that transfer too could prove to be smart business.

Villa have raised more than £314 million through the sales of stars such as Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, Lucas Digne and Emi Martinez.

Rogers was the biggest departure among them, completing a club-record £117 million move to Chelsea.