PSG Closing in on Illya Zabarnyi Amid Transfer Talks with Bournemouth

Paris Saint-Germain are stepping up their efforts to bring Bournemouth’s Illya Zabarnyi to the French capital, as they make signing a new centre-back one of their top priorities this summer. The 22-year-old Ukrainian has emerged as a serious target, and despite a few bumps along the way, a move could be on the cards sooner rather than later.

Zabarnyi has made it clear that he wants to join PSG before the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup, and the Ligue 1 giants have responded by reaching a personal agreement with the player on a five-year deal, according to Sacha Taviolieri. Talks with Bournemouth, however, have been trickier. The Premier League side are holding firm on their €70 million asking price, which has kept negotiations from reaching the finish line – at least for now. 

PSG's interest in Zabarnyi fits their recent strategy of investing in younger talents. They’ve already brought in promising defenders like Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho, and Zabarnyi would add another layer of youth and quality to a backline in transition. Earlier this year, French journalist Loïc Tanzi reported that PSG and Bournemouth had already begun discussions. And while nothing was agreed at the time, the Paris club’s persistence seems to be paying off. They've struck what’s believed to be an agreement in principle with Bournemouth, even if the finer details are still being ironed out. 

One of the major complications right now is logistics. PSG are currently based in the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup and just suffered a 1-0 defeat to Botafogo. Meanwhile, Bournemouth general manager Tiago Pinto is traveling across Europe, making real-time negotiations difficult. The eight-to-nine hour time difference between PSG’s key decision-makers – Luis Campos and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, currently in Los Angeles – and Pinto has slowed communication and progress. 

Still, PSG are optimistic that a deal can be wrapped up in time to register Zabarnyi for the Club World Cup knockout rounds – if they advance. The Ukrainian, who recently featured for his national team in a friendly played in Toronto, is eager to join the PSG squad as soon as the transfer is complete. Plans are in motion to fly him stateside once the paperwork is sorted. 

The 22-year-old has made a big impression since joining Bournemouth from Dynamo Kyiv. His composure on the ball, physical presence, and defensive awareness have made him one of the most highly regarded young centre-backs in Europe. It’s no surprise PSG are going all in for him. Now, all eyes are on how quickly the two clubs can finalize the deal. PSG are preparing a new bid to try and get this over the line, and Zabarnyi’s commitment to the move could end up being the push that gets it done.  

Also Read: Liverpool Set to Land Milos Kerkez in £40m Deal from Bournemouth