Bournemouth is on the brink of a major defensive transformation as Illia Zabarnyi prepares for a £57.1m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Ukrainian centre-back, who has made 86 appearances for the Cherries, is currently in Paris to finalize personal terms on a five-year contract with the European champions.

The Transfer Details

The deal, initially valued at £54.5m, includes an additional £2.6m in performance-related add-ons. Zabarnyi's departure is part of a broader trend for Bournemouth, who have already seen Dean Huijsen join Real Madrid for £50m and Milos Kerkez move to Liverpool in a £40m deal.

Financial Implications

Bournemouth stands to make a substantial profit from these transfers. Zabarnyi was acquired from Dynamo Kyiv for £24m in 2023, while Huijsen and Kerkez were signed for £12.6m and £15.5m, respectively. The club has already secured Bafode Diakite from Lille as Zabarnyi's replacement, with the deal potentially rising to £34m with add-ons.

Club Strategy and Future Plans

Sources within Bournemouth reveal that while the club anticipated at least one defender would be sold this summer, the departure of three key players was unexpected. However, the lucrative offers from top-tier clubs like PSG, Real Madrid, and Liverpool were too significant to decline.

Bournemouth is actively rebuilding its defense, having also signed Adrien Truffert for £14.4m to fill the void left by Kerkez. The club is in the market for an additional central defender and a striker to bolster their attacking options, especially with Enes Unal sidelined due to a knee injury.

Managerial Insights

Manager Andoni Iraola is focused on maintaining squad depth and competitiveness. The signing of teenage forward Eli Junior Kroupi in February and the acquisition of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic highlight the club's commitment to long-term planning.

Conclusion

Bournemouth's summer transfer activities underscore their strategic approach to player sales and acquisitions. While the loss of Zabarnyi, Huijsen, and Kerkez is significant, the club's ability to secure high-value deals and reinvest in the squad positions them well for the upcoming season.