PSG are expected to prioritize signing a center-back this summer, and one name that’s stood out is Bournemouth defender Illya Zabarnyi. But landing the Ukrainian defender won’t be straightforward.
Last year, PSG leaned heavily into a youth-focused recruitment strategy, bringing in players like Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho. That approach appears set to continue, even with the summer transfer window still a couple of months away and speculation already heating up.
According to an earlier report from L’Équipe’s Loïc Tanzi, PSG remain in discussions with Bournemouth over Zabarnyi. The 22-year-old has reportedly made it clear he wants to join the French giants before the FIFA Club World Cup, but Bournemouth are holding firm with a €70 million asking price.
More recently, EuroSport’s Romain Collet-Gaudin reported that a deal is close, with Zabarnyi expected to finalize the move to PSG once the Club World Cup wraps up.
What’s the latest on PSG pursuing Bournemouth standout?
On Saturday, 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.
🔴🔵 Dans le dossier Illia Zabarnyi toutes les parties ont la sensation qu’il portera le maillot du PSG la saison prochaine.
🔹Le défenseur veut absolument signer au PSG et a déjà un accord avec le club de la capitale jusqu’en 2030 comme expliqué par @RMCsport
➡️ Négociations… https://t.co/Q2W6GbZDbe
— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) June 14, 2025
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.
