Bournemouth holding firm on Illia Zabarnyi asking price despite PSG interest

Bournemouth are holding out for €70m from Paris Saint-Germain for centre-half Illia Zabarnyi.

The two clubs have been discussing a deal for weeks, with the European champions’ initial proposals only going up to €60m.

The riches of the Club World Cup have arguably worked against Luis Enrique's side, however, as the need for centre-half back-up became clear through the injury to Willian Pacho. Chelsea repeatedly targeted that side to win 3-0.

Zabarnyi had long been a main target for PSG but the need has only increased, strengthening Bournemouth’s hand. They are currently not budging from a valuation of €70m (£59m) for the 22-year-old Ukrainian.

Bournemouth are meanwhile now prepared to spend to replace their expensive outgoings, having already sold centre-half Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and left-back Milos Kerkez to Liverpool. The sale of Zabarnyi could take their incomings to around £150m.

The transfer of Huijsen after Madrid activated his £50m release clause represented a significant profit for the Cherries, less than 12 months since they signed the Malaga academy product from Juventus for £12.6m on a six-year contract.

Meanwhile, Kerkez headed to Anfield on a five-year contract after Liverpool paid £40m, with Reds sporting director Richard Hughes involved in recruiting the Hungary international for a second time after the Scot was involved in buying him for Bournemouth in 2023.