According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Chelsea and Liverpool have been keen on signing Illia Zabarnyi in the summer transfer window. While the Blues are scouring the market for a long-term replacement for Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile, the Reds want to plan for Virgil van Dijk’s succession, with the veteran Dutch defender in the twilight of his career.
So, the Bournemouth centre-back emerged as a target for Chelsea and Liverpool, with the Premier League club demanding around £60 million to part ways with him. However, the Kyiv native has decided to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window instead of moving across the Premier League.
Illia Zabarnyi has established himself as one of the best young centre-backs in the Premier League since joining Bournemouth from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023. The 22-year-old has come leaps and bounds in the last two and a half years, helping the Cherries transform themselves as a Premier League mainstay.
The Ukrainian international has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for Bournemouth while chipping in with one goal and one assist. Meanwhile, Zabarnyi’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain have been among the prospective suitors vying for his signature this summer.
Illia Zabarnyi has been on Chelsea’s radar for a long time. With the West London club ready to part ways with Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile in the summer transfer window, they need at least one new centre-back. So, the Bournemouth defender has emerged as a viable target for Chelsea.
As for Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk is approaching the twilight of his career, and the Merseyside club must plan for life after the veteran Dutch defender. So, Zabarnyi was an option worth considering for Liverpool. However, the former Dynamo Kyiv centre-back has snubbed the two Premier League clubs, picking PSG as his next destination.
PSG wanted to sign a centre-back in the summer transfer window as they will likely part ways with Presnel Kimpembe this month. So, Zabarnyi has been a viable target, and a move worth £60 million for the 22-year-old Ukrainian international is on the cards.
