PSG’s £55m Bid for Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi Rejected

June 21, 2025 – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have had their £55 million bid for Bournemouth’s standout defender Illia Zabarnyi turned down, as the Cherries hold firm on a valuation exceeding £70 million. The rejection marks the latest twist in a transfer saga that has intensified with the opening of the summer window, following a brief early period tied to the 2025 Club World Cup.

Zabarnyi, a 22-year-old Ukrainian centre-back, has emerged as a key figure for Bournemouth, featuring in 34 Premier League matches during the 2024-25 season, bolstering their mid-table finish. His initial £24 million transfer from Dynamo Kyiv in 2023 has proven a shrewd investment, prompting Bournemouth to mirror their successful £65 million sale of Dominic Solanke to Tottenham last year.

PSG’s interest aligns with a trend of European giants targeting undervalued Premier League talent, with the French club’s £1.2 billion transfer spending in recent years, per Deloitte’s 2023 Football Money League, fueling their aggressive pursuit. The potential move could see Zabarnyi eligible for PSG’s Club World Cup campaign, where FIFA’s £774 million prize pool adds further incentive. Negotiations are ongoing, but Bournemouth’s high demands signal a robust stance in this high-stakes transfer market.