Manchester City still have an eye on the transfer market in an attempt to improve their backline.
Pep Guardiola was keen to strengthen his defence heading into the summer transfer window and last month secured the signing of Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves.
The FIFA Club World Cup showed that the Manchester club still have big defensive concerns, especially at right-back, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Man City still plan to sign a right-sided defender before the window shuts.
That will likely be City’s focus over the coming weeks, but before the summer window opened, the Premier League giants were linked to centre-backs, and one of their long-term targets could be about to complete a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
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Paris Saint-Germain ready to move for Illya Zabarnyi
Man City have held long-term interest in Illya Zabarnyi as the Ukrainian centre-back has impressed in the Premier League ever since moving to Bournemouth in 2023 from Dynamo Kyiv.
It was reported back in May that Man City remain interested in Zabarnyi; however, the Manchester club never made an official move as the Cherries want £50m for the player, which has left the door open for others to try and sign the centre-back.
It was reported last week that Tottenham are now monitoring the Bournemouth defender, but it now looks like the Ukrainian international could be on his way to PSG.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Zabarnyi is keen on a move to Paris and that the Ligue 1 champions are ready to send an improved bid to Bournemouth to get the deal done.
A verbal agreement has already been reached regarding personal terms with the Premier League star since June, but a transfer fee still needs to be agreed between the two clubs.
This would end any interest Man City had in Zabarnyi, and if Guardiola plans to sign a new centre-back next summer, the Spanish coach will have to look elsewhere.
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How Illya Zabarnyi compares to Ruben Dias
Man City are in talks with Ruben Dias over a new contract, but if the Manchester club are to sign a new central defender over the coming years, he will likely replace the Portuguese star.
Zabarnyi and Dias are similar defenders, and it is not hard to see why City were interested in the Ukrainian to replace the 28-year-old at the Etihad Stadium.
Dias is a commanding centre-back who has very strong positioning, good anticipation, is a strong tackler, and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. These are all traits Zabarnyi possesses, but the Bournemouth star is six years younger, with even more room to develop.
The Ukrainian would have been a great fit at Man City; however, it now looks like the future of Guardiola’s defence will be in the hands of Vitor Reis.
