BREAKING: AFC Bournemouth Wanted Centre-Back lllia Zabarnyi replied to BBC Sports News, “I will never leave Bournemouth,” in response to rumors that he was about to join PSG This morning, the great Centre-Back spoke to supporters and BBC Sports. I intend to remain with the Cherries for the remainder of my career in order to advance to a leadership role and contribute to the team’s accomplishments. The standout Defend signed a three-year contract with Bournemouth and Pledge allegiance to the team’s and fans…..

The two English heavyweights rejected by Illya Zabarnyi for Paris..

Illya Zabarnyi rejects Chelsea and Newcastle
Since rumours linking the Bournemouth player to PSG began, no other top clubs were reported to be in the running. However, TBR Football reports that Zabarnyi attracted late interest from two Premier League heavyweights: Chelsea and Newcastle United. Both English giants were turned down by Zabarnyi, who only wanted to join PSG.

That said, the British outlet is less certain than L’Equipe and Foot Mercato about the immediate completion of the 22-year-old’s move to France.

“I’ve been told he has given a verbal agreement in principle, but there’s still some way to go between Bournemouth and PSG. Bournemouth are not happy with how things are unfolding, but they know the player wants to leave and has made that very clear,” explained Graeme Bailey. This transfer saga remains one to watch closely in the coming days, as the Cherries may demand a higher fee than initially expected.

PSG are expected to make signing a center-back one of their top priorities this summer, and Bournemouth defender Illya Zabarnyi has emerged as a serious option. But landing the Ukrainian defender won’t be simple.

The French club has leaned into a youth-focused recruitment strategy in recent windows, bringing in players like Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho. That approach is likely to continue, even with the summer transfer window still weeks away and speculation already building.

According to L’Équipe’s Loïc Tanzi, PSG have opened talks with Bournemouth over a potential move for Zabarnyi. The 22-year-old is said to be eager to join before the FIFA Club World Cup, but Bournemouth are holding firm on a €70 million asking price.

More recently, EuroSport’s Romain Collet-Gaudin reported the deal is nearing completion, with Zabarnyi expected to make the switch to Paris after the Club World Cup.

Bournemouth want to keep PSG, Newcastle United target
Ilya Zabarnyi
Warren Little/Getty Images.

Although Zabarnyi is closing in on a move to PSG, he has yet to officially join the capital club. On After Foot, RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins shared the latest update on the Bournemouth defender’s situation.

“The negotiations are dragging on now between Bournemouth and PSG because there’s a gap between what Bournemouth are asking for and what PSG are willing to offer,” Hawkins said (via Le10Sport). “The player himself has already agreed to join PSG. A five-year contract agreement is already in place between the two sides, but now the clubs need to come to terms.

“Bournemouth were initially asking for around €75 million. They’re willing to lower the price a bit, but not cut it in half, if you get what I mean. So, they need to find some common ground. Everyone involved believes the deal will eventually get done, but for now, it’s not finalized.”

“There’s another factor: Bournemouth don’t necessarily need to sell. They’ve already lost Kerkez on the left, Huijsen was sold for €62 million, and they’re starting to get picked apart. Their winger Semenyo is also being tracked by several clubs. They did want to keep Zabarnyi, but they now realize that’s going to be tough, so they’re trying to get the most out of the deal to rebuild their squad with all the money they’ve brought in.”

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.