Illya Zabarnyi (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Bournemouth’s Illya Zabarnyi rejects a PSG transfer due to Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, citing potential tension amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
Illya Zabarnyi, Bournemouth’s highly-rated central defender, has rejected the possibility of joining Paris Saint-Germain because the club’s goalkeeper, Matvey Safonov, is Russian. According to L’Équipe journalist Loïc Tanzi, the transfer talks ended before they even began, with Zabarnyi unwilling to proceed for political reasons.
PSG, under manager Luis Enrique, is actively seeking defensive reinforcements, with Zabarnyi identified as a prime target. The Ukrainian international, who has impressed in the Premier League, was viewed as a strong candidate to bolster PSG’s backline.
However, Zabarnyi reportedly felt that the presence of Safonov in PSG’s lineup would create potential tension due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. As a central defender, close communication and collaboration with the goalkeeper are crucial, and Zabarnyi believed such a partnership could negatively impact the team dynamic.
This development highlights the political sensitivities impacting football transfers in the current geopolitical climate, as players’ decisions are increasingly influenced by matters beyond the pitch.