PSG Signs Illia Zabarnyi for €67 Million in Defensive Overhaul

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has secured the signing of Ukrainian center back Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth for a reported fee around €63-67 million, signing him to a five-year contract as part of a defensive overhaul following the departures of Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez. Zabarnyi, who was Bournemouth's Supporters' Player of the Season, joins a PSG defense featuring Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Lucas Beraldo, and Presnel Kimpembe, with the arrival signaling a future transition post-Marquinhos. Alongside Zabarnyi, PSG recently signed goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier to strengthen the squad after their Club World Cup defeat to Chelsea. Additionally, PSG has reportedly submitted a substantial £130 million (€150 million) offer for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, a target personally requested by PSG manager Luis Enrique as a potential replacement for Fabian Ruiz. Despite the aggressive bid, Chelsea are unlikely to sell Fernandez, who is under contract until 2032 and integral to their recent Club World Cup success, making a deal difficult this summer. These moves indicate PSG's strategic efforts to reinforce their squad both defensively and in midfield ahead of the new season.