‘PSG-target Zabarnyi to cost more than Huijsen thanks to Bournemouth’s Pinto’
Bournemouth are expected to take a bold approach with PSG interested in signing defender Illia Zabarnyi as other sales leave them in a strong position.
The Cherries’ backline conceded the sixth-fewest goals in the Premier League this season, and clubs around Europe have taken notice.
Dean Huijsen was quickly snapped up by Real Madrid before the season began, and Milos Kerkez is expected to join Liverpool at some point during the transfer window.
But one name that has gone under the radar, until now, is Zabarnyi‘s.
The Ukrainian centre-back was the perfect foil to Huijsen at centre-back, establishing himself as a strong ball-winner, whilst also recording an impressive 157 recoveries [FotMob].
Zabarnyi had interest from Man City in the January transfer window, but not much activity has taken place regarding the 22-year-old since then.
But with PSG looking for a long-term replacement for captain Marquinhos, the Champions League winners are keen on signing the Cherries’ defender.
However, Bournemouth have no plans to roll over and accept a low fee for the defender, Record journalist Sergio Krithinas revealed on the Transfers Podcast.
Bournemouth will ‘push the asking price as high as they can’
Host Duncan Castles asked the journalist if it is realistic for Bournemouth to expect to receive a higher fee for Zabarnyi from PSG than they did for Huijsen on the podcast.
Krithinas said (5 May, 4.46mins): “I think they will try honestly.
“They are not in need of fresh money because they have sold Dean Huijsen and they will likely receive a big amount for Milos Kerkez as well.
“They are sitting back, relaxed, waiting for the offers to come.
“Of course, it is hard for them to keep players when such big clubs, like Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid or Liverpool, approach their players.
“But I think they will push the asking price as high as they can.”
Krithinas also pointed out that Bournemouth’s president of football operations, Tiago Pinto, has a strong track record of netting high transfer fees.
He said: “He has a good record of getting good deals when he sells players.
“For instance, he was the sporting director at Benfica when they sold Joao Felix to Atletico Madrid for 126 million euros, which was the record transfer fee in Portugal.”
Bournemouth cannot afford to lose Illia Zabarnyi after Dean Huijsen departure
Football Insider Verdict
One of football’s trickiest balancing acts is knowing who to sell, and when.
For Bournemouth, the temptation of receiving another potentially record-setting windfall will be strong, but selling Zabarnyi is a risky move.
The Cherries are already set to lose 50% of their backline this summer, and having come so close to European football this season, losing the Ukrainian defender would be a major setback.
Without both of their central defenders, Andoni Iraola’s side would likely go from challengers for a continental spot, to relegation battlers, only with a lot more cash in the bank.
Instead, even if it comes at the cost of the defender’s asking price potentially dropping, Bournemouth should do all they can to hold onto Zabarnyi for at least one more season, giving them a chance to bed in a long-term replacement for the 22-year-old.