Bournemouth holding firm on Illia Zabarnyi asking price despite PSG interest
Champions League winners PSG are eager to secure the 22-year-old Ukrainian centre-back but the Cherries are sticking to their price
Bournemouth are holding out for €70m from Paris Saint-Germain for centre-half Illia Zabarnyi.
The two clubs have been discussing a deal for weeks, with the European champions’ initial proposals only going up to €60m.
The riches of the Club World Cup have arguably worked against Luis Enrique’s side, however, as the need for centre-half back-up became clear through the injury to Willian Pacho. Chelsea repeatedly targeted that side to win 3-0.
Zabarnyi had long been a main target for PSG but the need has only increased, strengthening Bournemouth’s hand. They are currently not budging from a valuation of €70m (£59m) for the 22-year-old Ukrainian.
Bournemouth are meanwhile now prepared to spend to replace their expensive outgoings, having already sold centre-half Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and left-back Milos Kerkez to Liverpool. The sale of Zabarnyi could take their incomings to around £150m.
The transfer of Huijsen after Madrid activated his £50m release clause represented a significant profit for the Cherries, less than 12 months since they signed the Malaga academy product from Juventus for £12.6m on a six-year contract.
Meanwhile, Kerkez headed to Anfield on a five-year contract after Liverpool paid £40m, with Reds sporting director Richard Hughes involved in recruiting the Hungary international for a second time after the Scot was involved in buying him for Bournemouth in 2023.
Everton were in the market for a new goalkeeper following the departures of Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia. Now, with David Moyes’ side preparing for a new campaign in their brand new 53,000-seater stadium on Bramley Moore Dock, ex-Shamrock Rovers man Travers is relishing his new chapter after becoming the club’s third signing of the summer window.
“I’m extremely proud and excited to be an Everton player,” he said today, with the Toffees beginning the new Premier League season away to Leeds United on August 18.
“Coming in, you can feel how big this club is and the history that comes with it. You really feel that with the fanbase, the new stadium now as well and the direction the club is going in. It’s a fresh start for me to come up here and try a new chapter in my career.
“It’s a really exciting time to be part of this massive football club and I just can’t wait to get going.”
With Travers set to serve as back-up to England’s Jordan Pickford, Travers added: “Jordan is an outstanding goalkeeper for club and country. I’m looking forward to competing with everyone here and being a Premier League player.
“Being in this environment is huge. We’re going to push each other every day in training and whatever happens on the weekend, we’re going to be there for each other and make the most of every opportunity that comes.”
Travers earned his Ireland debut in September 2019 under Mick McCarthy but has struggled for caps since then with Caoimhín Kelleher and Gavin Bazunu ahead of him in the pecking order. His last cap came in a November 2023 friendly against New Zealand.
