‘Wants the move’: Newcastle United Face Transfer Setback as £65m Target Chooses PSG – Fabrizio Romano Drops updates

Newcastle United’s search for defensive reinforcements has hit a stumbling block as Bournemouth center-back Ilya Zabarnyi appears destined for Paris Saint-Germain.

The highly-rated Ukrainian international has reportedly set his sights on a move to the French capital, with negotiations between the clubs progressing rapidly according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The 22-year-old defender had emerged as a potential target for Eddie Howe’s side this summer, with The Athletic previously linking Newcastle to the Cherries star.

However, PSG’s aggressive pursuit and the player’s apparent preference for the Parc des Princes move have left the Magpies facing another transfer disappointment following their failed bid for Anthony Elanga earlier this week.

Romano’s latest update reveals concrete developments in the proposed transfer: “Paris Saint-Germain had new contacts today for Ilya Zabarnyi deal as negotiations advance for the defender.

Zabarnyi wants the move and club-to-club talks with Bournemouth continue on key details with PSG pushing to make it happen.” The French champions appear willing to meet Bournemouth’s staggering £65 million valuation for a player who only arrived at the Vitality Stadium in January 2023.

Bournemouth’s surprising transformation into a seller’s market continues to make headlines this summer, with Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez already departing for Real Madrid and Liverpool respectively.

The potential exits of Zabarnyi and fellow Newcastle-linked forward Antoine Semenyo suggest Andoni Iraola will need to rebuild significant portions of his squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Beyond his obvious footballing qualities, Zabarnyi carries a profound personal story that has shaped his perspective both on and off the pitch. The Ukrainian international has spoken movingly about the internal conflict he faced when Russia invaded his homeland in 2022, even considering leaving football to take up arms in defense of his country.

“It’s difficult when I come on the pitch after checking the news and seeing rockets hitting buildings, killing my people every day,” Zabarnyi shared in a powerful interview with The Times.

“I thought about going back to fight – just grabbing a weapon and learning. But I realized I can serve Ukraine better by playing football and keeping our struggle in the world’s consciousness.”

The young defender’s emotional account of hearing air raid sirens in Kyiv and witnessing the war’s devastation firsthand adds deeper context to his career decisions.

His comments about the shifting global attention from Ukraine to other conflict zones reveal a maturity beyond his years, as does his acknowledgment of other humanitarian crises like Gaza.

For Newcastle, Zabarnyi’s apparent rejection represents another challenge in what’s proving to be a difficult summer transfer window. With defensive reinforcements a priority and Financial Fair Play considerations ever-present, the recruitment team must now turn their attention to alternative targets.

The Magpies’ interest in Bournemouth players hasn’t entirely dissipated though, with Semenyo still potentially available should the club decide to pursue another avenue from the south coast.

As PSG close in on their defensive target, Newcastle face the familiar task of regrouping and identifying new options. The coming weeks will reveal whether this setback forces a tactical shift in their transfer strategy or simply redirects their focus toward equally promising alternatives in a crowded center-back market.

One thing remains certain – in the high-stakes world of Premier League recruitment, adaptability often proves just as valuable as financial muscle.