Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are wasting no time planning for next season.
With the Ligue 1 title already wrapped up and holding a slender lead going into the Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal, the Paris giants are shifting focus to a summer defensive overhaul and have identified Bournemouth’s 22-year-old centre-back Illia Zabarnyi as their potential target.
The Ligue 1 champions, who explored Zabarnyi last summer, have now renewed their interest in the Ukrainian international as they prepare to bolster their defence, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
With Presnel Kimpembe still recovering from a long-term injury and the potential departure of club legend Marquinhos on the cards, the Ligue 1 champions are preparing for a defensive shakeup.
Zabarnyi has been a regular in the Bournemouth lineup since he arrived from Dynamo Kiev in January 2023 for £24m (reportedly).
He has made 75 appearances for the Cherries, 29 of those being in the Premier League this season, and has 8 clean sheets, 48 tackles, 33 interceptions, and a whopping 163 clearances.
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Another name on PSG’s list is 21-year-old Joel Ordoñez from Club Brugge, but Zabarnyi remains the main target.
PSG are looking for players who can anchor the defence for years to come, and Zabarnyi’s stats show he is ready for that.
The Ukrainian defender has made 314 recoveries, 109 successful tackles, and has only been dribbled past 12 times in his time at Vitality Stadium, making him one of the most underrated talents in Europe.
And with the French club’s focus on fielding youth under Luis Enrique, the timing feels right.
Marquinhos could leave Paris Saint-Germain
Marquinhos’s time at PSG may be coming to an end. Despite being under contract until 2028, the 30-year-old could be sold this summer.
According to Sacha Tavolieri, PSG are open to parting ways with the Brazilian captain for a fee close to €40 million.
Saudi Arabian move could be a possibility with Al-Ittihad reportedly interested in the Brazilian International.
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