President intervenes to push through Bournemouth transfer – Cherries remain firm
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is set to personally enter negotiations with Bournemouth for defender Ilya Zabarnyi to push the deal over the line.
They explain that PSG haven’t given up their months long pursuit of the Ukrainian defender, who they had initially hoped to sign during the Club World Cup.
They’ve been held off by Bournemouth, who are sticking to a €70m asking price and determined to get it for the 22-year-old.
That doesn’t mean the transfer is dead and instead, now Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is stepping in to try and push it over the line.
RMC report that he often takes action in the final moments of certain transfers to help finalise them, without stepping on the toes of manager Luis Enrique of director of football Luis Campos. He generally provides the final push in negotiations.
PSG are yet to make a new offer since their €60m proposal was rejected. However, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi intervention and the money received from Hugo Ekitike’s move to Liverpool could help tip the scales in their favour.
PSG expected to improve bid for Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi
PSG are expected to improve their bid to sign Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi (22), according to a report from Fabrizio Romano. The Champions League winners have identified the Ukrainian defender as the ideal fit to rejuvenate their defense. Zabarnyi would be a long-term replacement for Marquinhos, who will turn 32 next year. Besides, there is uncertainty over the future of Lucas Beraldo, who reportedly handed in a transfer request during the Club World Cup.
PSG and Zabarnyi have reportedly reached a total agreement on personal terms last month. Romano adds that PSG are set to approach Bournemouth to find a compromise regarding the transfer fee. So far, the Cherries are holding out for a €70m sum whereas PSG are yet to up their €60m bid.
The Ligue 1 champions have already secured a substantial windfall this summer through their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. RMC Sport adds that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi will get involved to reach an agreement with Bournemouth to get a deal with Zabarnyi over the line. The outlet understands that the bonuses received by PSG from the €90m transfer of Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool could help Les Parisiens meet Bournemouth’s valuation of Zabarnyi.
