PSG Intensify Pursuit of Ilya Zabarnyi in £60 Million Move

Paris Saint-Germain will speed up talks with Bournemouth as they make a new offer for Ilya Zabarnyi. They want to sign the Ukrainian defender as their main target this summer.

TRANSFER NEGOTIATIONS MOVE FORWARD

PSG and Bournemouth agreed on a €60 million (£52 million) fee for 22-year-old Ilya Zabarnyi. They are still discussing extra payments that could make the total close to €70 million. The French champions need Zabarnyi and want to finish the deal soon. Club president Nasser Al Khelaifi is part of the talks because the move is vital for PSG to rebuild their defense. Bournemouth are searching for replacements, which means the transfer is almost done. Other clubs like Tottenham are interested, but as reported, Zabarnyi wants to join PSG next season.

WHO IS ILYA ZABARNY?

Zabarnyi joined Bournemouth from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023 and became one of the Premier League‘s best young defenders. Last season, he played 38 games and helped Bournemouth finish twelfth, matching their highest-ever top-flight finish. Zabarnyi is strong, intelligent, and a leader, making him wanted by many teams in Europe. PSG thinks he is the perfect choice to improve their defense after finishing the Ligue 1 as undisputed champions. They want to do win the Champions League back to back next season. Notably, Zabarnyi has agreed to a contract with PSG until 2030.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR PSG, BOURNEMOUTH, AND ZABARNYI?

PSG’s players will return to training on August 4 after they reached the Club World Cup final with a 4-0 win over Real Madrid, having lost the final match to Chelsea. The team wants to sign Zabarnyi before they start the new Ligue 1 season. Monaco, who third first last season, will be tough competition, as will runner-ups Marseille. PSG will play their first game against Nantes, a team expected to be in the middle of the table. Bournemouth need to find a new defender quickly before their Premier League game against Liverpool, who came in as league winners last season. If the deal happens, Zabarnyi will likely start in PSG’s defense and help them aim for success in France and Europe.