Paris Saint-Germain is preparing a major defensive overhaul this summer — and two top targets have emerged: Tomás Araújo from Benfica and Ilya Zabarnyi from Bournemouth.
Tracked for over a year, Tomás Araújo (22) is still high on PSG’s wishlist. Under contract with Benfica until 2028, the Portuguese center-back is said to be very interested in the Parisian project. PSG sporting advisor Luis Campos even traveled to Lisbon in May to push the deal forward.
But competition is heating up. Several other European clubs have entered the race, and PSG will need to move quickly if they want to close the deal.
Zabarnyi already has an agreement
Progress is more advanced with Ilya Zabarnyi. According to Nicolò Schira, PSG has reached a verbal agreement with the Ukrainian defender on a contract running until 2030. However, Bournemouth — where Zabarnyi is under contract until 2028 — has yet to be convinced and won’t sell cheap.
The plan was to include Zabarnyi in the squad for the Club World Cup, but timing was too tight. The negotiations are ongoing, with optimism in the Paris camp.
Incoming duo could mean an exit
Both deals are being negotiated simultaneously, meaning PSG could sign both players. That suggests a defensive departure is likely. Candidates? Marquinhos, Skriniar, Pacho, or Beraldo — nothing has been decided yet, but internal competition is set to intensify.
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