Premier League Trio Eye Illia Zabarnyi Transfer Deal As PSG Struggles Continue

The Champions League clash against Slovan Bratislava (Wednesday, September 9) was supposed to mark his comeback. Handed a start at the Parc des Princes, the player made an expensive blunder despite the 6-1 win. In his post-match press conference, Luis Enrique tried to play down the criticism tied to the club’s high standards.

The Spanish coach’s defense did not translate to his on-pitch choices. On Sunday, September 13, 2026, the player was dropped from the squad to face Brest (0-1). That drastic call confirms the coaching staff’s growing doubts following a mixed debut campaign.

That dip in club form carried straight over to the international stage during the break. In the Nations League, the 58-cap defender was benched against Georgia (0-0). He is no longer an untouchable starter for Ukraine.

The contrast felt all the sharper against his club team-mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who started and wore the captain’s armband for the Georgians. The Paris forward confirmed his undeniable influence across European football. In contrast, the Ukrainian defender now looks vulnerable on every front, just as PSG prepare to host Le Mans on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Following a move worth over €60 million in August 2025, the Parisian hierarchy is already exploring fresh options. According to several reports, the club is searching for a versatile centre-back for January 2027. This target profile leaves little room for the former Bournemouth defender, who signed a five-year contract.

The prospect of a return across the English Channel is already gathering pace to revive his career. Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool are closely monitoring developments ahead of the January 2027 transfer window. A move to the Premier League would offer a sensible way out for all parties involved.

Any early departure will, however, require navigating the contractual commitments made when he moved across the Channel. Dynamo Kyiv still holds a 20% sell-on clause on any capital gain, alongside the 3.5% due under the solidarity mechanism. The Ligue 1 champions will have to manage the finances carefully to limit the loss on this expensive deal and reshape their squad quickly.