PSG Secure Zabarnyi Deal, Spurs Pursue Eze Transfer
Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth, sealing a five-year contract worth an initial €63 million plus €3 million in potential performance bonuses. The 22-year-old centre-back, who made 86 appearances for the Cherries since joining from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, becomes the latest addition to the European champions’ squad. Expressing his excitement, Zabarnyi called PSG “the best club in the world” and promised to give his all on the pitch as he looks forward to meeting the fans.
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Bournemouth’s Defensive Exodus
Zabarnyi’s departure marks the third major defensive loss for Bournemouth this summer, following Dean Huijsen’s €58 million move to Real Madrid and Milos Kerkez’s €46 million transfer to Liverpool. During his time on the south coast, Zabarnyi played a key role in helping Andoni Iraola’s side achieve back-to-back record Premier League points totals. His standout performances earned him the Cherries’ Supporters’ Player of the Season award for 2023-24.
PSG’s Champions League Momentum
The Kiev-born defender joins PSG fresh from their historic first Champions League triumph in May, where they defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich. Manager Luis Enrique has also strengthened his squad with goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash against Tottenham. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised Zabarnyi as a “talented international and great professional” who will contribute significantly to the club’s long-term vision.
Tottenham Revive Eze Interest
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have reopened talks with Crystal Palace over the signing of Eberechi Eze. Spurs’ interest in the 27-year-old dates back to his QPR days, but he joined Palace in 2020, developing into one of the league’s most dangerous attacking midfielders. With James Maddison sidelined by an ACL injury and Dejan Kulusevski also out long-term, new Spurs boss Thomas Frank is eager to bring in creativity before the transfer window closes.
Transfer Deadline Approaches
Tottenham recently missed out on Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White and have now accelerated their activity—negotiating for Manchester City’s Savinho and pursuing Eze. The England international, who has two years left on his Palace deal, has a €79 million release clause active until Friday. Last season, he tallied 14 goals and 11 assists across 43 games, helping Palace to FA Cup and Community Shield victories. Whether Spurs trigger the clause or strike a cheaper deal remains to be seen, but Frank will likely address the speculation in his press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Super Cup meeting with PSG in Udine.
