PSG signs Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi for €66m as
the club rebuilds defense after three big defender sales.
Paris, France — Illia Zabarnyi, Bournemouth’s star
Ukrainian centre-back, has joined Paris Saint-Germain in a £57 million transfer
deal. The 22-year-old defender signed a five-year contract with the European
champions, marking the third major defensive sale by Bournemouth this summer
amid a strategic club rebuild.
Paris Saint-Germain have finalized the high-profile
signing of Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth for a fee reported at €66 million
(£57 million). The deal includes an initial payment of £54.5 million plus £2.6
million in performance-related add-ons. Zabarnyi, 22, has committed to a
five-year contract with the French giants.
Joining PSG, Zabarnyi described the move as joining
“the best club in the world, with the best project,” underscoring his ambition
to compete at the highest level in European football.
Zabarnyi originally moved to Bournemouth in January
2023 from Dynamo Kyiv for a fee around £24 million. Since then, he made 86
appearances for the Cherries and quickly established himself as a key figure in
the club’s defense. His performances earned him the club’s Supporters’ Player
of the Season award for 2023-24.
This transfer represents the third major defender
sale by Bournemouth in the current transfer window. Earlier this summer,
Bournemouth sold Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid for £50 million and Milos Kerkez
to Liverpool for £40 million. These moves demonstrate the high demand for
Bournemouth’s defensive talent.
While Bournemouth must now rebuild their backline,
the club stands to benefit financially from these transfers. Zabarnyi’s sale,
combined with Huijsen’s and Kerkez’s departures, represents a significant
profit compared to their initial acquisition costs.
To address the defensive gaps, Bournemouth secured
Bafode Diakite from Lille for an initial £30 million, potentially rising to £34
million with add-ons. They also signed Adrien Truffert to cover the position
vacated by Kerkez. The club remains in search of an additional central defender
to reinforce their squad.
Sources within Bournemouth reveal the sales were
difficult but financially hard to refuse, given the lucrative offers from some
of Europe’s biggest clubs. The Cherries notably tripled their investment on
Huijsen in less than a year, highlighting their savvy transfer dealings.
Apart from defense, Bournemouth has made moves to
strengthen other areas. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has arrived as a
replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who chose to join Arsenal. The club also
signed teenage forward Eli Junior Kroupi in February.
Manager Andoni Iraola is targeting further
reinforcements in attack, looking to provide competition for striker Evanilson
after Enes Unal’s serious knee injury last season.
With these major squad changes, Bournemouth aims to
remain competitive while balancing financial growth and strategic squad
development.