BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Illya Zabarnyi of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town at Vitality Stadium on March 13, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. This fixture was re-scheduled after the initial match was abandoned due to Luton Town's captain Tom Lockyer suffering a cardiac arrest after 58 minutes with the score at 1-1. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
PSG are expected to make signing a center-back a top priority this summer, and one name that continues to gain momentum is Bournemouth defender Illya Zabarnyi. But landing the Ukrainian defender won’t be easy.
The Parisians have leaned into a youth-focused recruitment strategy in recent windows, bringing in players like Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho. That trend looks set to continue, even with the summer transfer window still weeks away and speculation already ramping up.
According to a previous report from L’Équipe’s Loïc Tanzi, PSG have held talks with Bournemouth over a potential deal for Zabarnyi. The 22-year-old is said to be eager to join the French side ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, but Bournemouth are holding firm on their €70 million asking price.
More recently, EuroSport’s Romain Collet-Gaudin reported that a deal is close, with Zabarnyi expected to finalize his move to Paris once the Club World Cup wraps up.
What’s the latest on PSG pursuing Bournemouth standout
On Friday, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano provided an update on the file. Here’s what he stated on X:
“Paris Saint-Germain keep advancing in talks to sign Ilya Zabarnyi after personal terms agreed last week. Negotiations underway for fee close to €55/60m as L’Équipé reported; not a done deal yet as Bournemouth insist on their conditions.”
Recently, RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins reported that there’s growing confidence among all parties that Illya Zabarnyi will be wearing a PSG jersey next season.
The Ukrainian defender is determined to join the French champions and has already reached a contract agreement with the club through 2030. Negotiations between PSG and Bournemouth are still ongoing, but the Parisian side is preparing a new offer in hopes of finalizing the transfer.
Still, PSG could face a challenge in securing the talented defender, as The iPaper reported that Zabarnyi, a serious target for Newcastle and admired by Manchester City, is believed to have a starting price tag of around £50 million. A transfer isn’t done until the player is holding the jersey, so it will be interesting to see if PSG can get this deal over the line.
Spurs make Antoine Semenyo move! Tottenham make enquiry to sign Bournemouth winger as Cherries make £70m demand for Ghana international as Thomas Frank’s side continue pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo
- Spurs interested in signing Semenyo
- Bournemouth rate winger at £70m
- Spurs also eyeing a move for Mbeumo
WHAT HAPPENED?
Tottenham have been active when it comes to identifying targets this summer as the Lilywhites are keen on providing their new boss, Thomas Frank, with the best possible side on the back of their horror domestic season, which saw Ange Postecoglou sacked from his post, days after winning the Europa League.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Tottenham have reportedly turned their attention towards Bournemouth’s star winger Semenyo, as they are keen on signing new attacking options with the likes of Timo Werner and Richarlison struggling. The report comes from The Athletic, which has claimed that Bournemouth rate the Ghanaian winger at a price point of £70 million ($94m).
DID YOU KNOW?
Tottenham are already eyeing another Premier League winger in the form of Brentford’s Mbeumo, and the North London side are currently stuck in a battle with Manchester United for his signature. The Lilywhites reportedly launched a bid worth £70 million ($95m) for the winger; however, he is said to be more interested in a move to Old Trafford.
WHAT NEXT FOR SPURS?
Whether Tottenham actually make a move for Semenyo will depend on their chase of Mbeumo. The saga may likely end up stretching out until next month; however, Frank will be hopeful that whichever player they sign can be available to him before the start of pre-season training.
