Bournemouth braced for Illya Zabarnyi offer after Arsenal reveal
Illya Zabarnyi is yet another highly-rated Bournemouth player who could be bound for pastures new this summer.
Zabarnyi has been one of Bournemouth’s most consistent performers under Andoni Iraola, and a near ever-present across the last two seasons to coincide with the Cherries’ rise up the Premier League table.
The Ukrainian’s partnership with Dean Huijsen at the back has helped Bournemouth to turn over several big-hitters this season, with Arsenal beaten recently, and the 20-year-old has attracted several suitors.
However, Zabarnyi’s form alongside Huijsen, as well as the similarly sought-after Milos Kerkez and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Cherries’ defence, has also turned heads as Bournemouth anticipate a busy summer.
PSG to prepare Illya Zabarnyi transfer bid
Although half of Europe appears to be after Huijsen’s signature this summer, Zabarnyi has also attracted interest aplenty from Premier League teams, and Manchester City planned an approach last November.
Former Man United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in December that Bournemouth would be happy to accept “huge” offers for Zabarnyi in the January transfer window, but no transfer came to pass.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals/Assists | Clean Sheets | Yellow/Red Cards |
| Illya Zabarnyi | 36 | 35 | 0/0 | 9 | 3/1 |
However, one of the sides with a long-term admiration in the 22-year-old are PSG, and journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on X (5 May) that the Parisians want Zabarnyi to succeed their captain Marquinhos.
Marquinhos is set for a move to Saudi Arabia this summer after 12 seasons in Paris, and PSG “have targeted” Zabarnyi and Club Brugge’s Ecuadorian centre-back Joel Ordonez as potential replacements.
🚨🆕🔁 @SkySportCH
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) May 5, 2025
🗣️💬 Rashford avance avec le Barça, le #PSG & l’#ASMonaco ouvrent la porte aux départs de Marquinhos & Wilfried Singo, Conte fan de Lewis Ferguson… les infos #mercato de la semaine, c’est ICI ⤵️
🔗 https://t.co/Kk342yFtzr #FCBarcelona #MUFC #AVFC #Napoli
Bournemouth set for transformative summer of transfers
With PSG on the hunt for a “rich mix of quality and quantity” in the centre-back market this summer, it’s no surprise to see Zabarnyi on their shortlist after his displays alongside Huijsen at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth are consigned to losing Huijsen, whose contract includes a £50million release clause amid interest from Liverpool, Newcastle and Bayern Munich, but they’ll be desperate to keep hold of Zabarnyi.
Iraola’s bid to make Kepa’s loan move from Chelsea permanent will also be complicated, and while the sales of Huijsen, Zabarnyi and others would facilitate funds for such a transfer, the Cherries will be keen to avoid a complete rebuild after their impressive campaign.