Ilya Zabarnyi, the 22-year-old central defender from Bournemouth (contract until 2028) and Ukraine, has been announced as a defensive priority for Paris Saint-Germain in the transfer window. There is even talk of some progress towards a transfer to PSG. L’Equipe provided an extensive update on this long-standing case this Wednesday morning. The Ukrainian’s desire to come to Paris, despite rejecting other offers, is still being discussed, but the impasse is starting to lead to his impatience. Especially since it’s reportedly only a few million.
“Until Tuesday evening, PSG didn’t want to take things any further.”
“Since May, Paris has had an agreement on a five-year contract with the defender. Once they won the Champions League, the Parisians thought they could finalize the deal in a few days. It’s the story of two clubs unwilling to give up, and a transfer stalled over bonuses.
Late last week, PSG sent an offer—the first written offer—to the English club, for a fixed amount of €60 million, agreeing to pay the solidarity fee imposed by FIFA (5% of the transfer, or an additional €3 million). After asking for €70 million at the start of the transfer window, Bournemouth lowered their expectations several weeks ago and expressed a willingness to accept a similar offer if the capital club added €3 million in bonuses. Until Tuesday evening, PSG refused to go any further.
“If he continues to maintain his position, only wanting to join PSG, the central defender still sees Tottenham and Newcastle pushing him.”
For several days now, everyone involved in the case has been on an emotional roller coaster, thinking everything would be resolved in a few hours, before becoming pessimistic. In Paris, they still believe Ilya Zabarni will be a Parisian before the end of the transfer window. But this turbulence is having an impact on the player.
The Ukrainian, like everyone else, doesn’t understand how the deadlock can last so long. If he continues to maintain his position, only wanting to join PSG, the central defender still sees Tottenham and Newcastle pushing him. Both clubs have announced that they are ready to immediately meet Bournemouth’s demands if the player opens the door.”
Note: this is a media review of the case, not one by one of the clubs. Therefore, there is no certainty behind every statement. Not to mention the “game” of communication between the clubs to try to exert pressure. Here, it could come from the English side or the player to push PSG to close the deal with a better offer.
However, the claims remain credible. Quite simply, because no agreement has yet been announced. This means the file is not yet closed. However, we are cautious about the reasons for the stalemate and the exact figures for prices and offers. Even if all the media are around the same idea of €65-70 million.
We will have to wait for certainty, hoping that it will come with an official announcement that will be encouraging. It would be painful today to see Zabarnyi join another club. It’s not yet the trend, but we must be wary. There is undoubtedly competition, especially in the Premier League.
