Pep Guardiola is set to make several changes to his Manchester City squad this summer.
The 2024/25 campaign has been a tough one for the legendary coach and the rest of the City squad, as defeat has been common for the Manchester club in the Premier League, and as a result, they are still fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League with just two games to go.
Heading into the summer, the focus for Guardiola is on his midfield as the departing Kevin De Bruyne needs replacing.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is Man City’s top target, while other stars such as Morgan Gibbs-White are being targeted to strengthen the middle of the park.
Centre-back is not an area Man City are expected to add to, however, the Manchester club have learned the price tag of one of their top targets.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
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Bournemouth place £50m price tag on Man City target 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.
The defender has a fan in his boss, Andoni Iraola, who has praised the 22-year-old in the past, stating via the Bournemouth Echo: “I think Illya is a very, very solid centre-back. I think defensively, he is very good in duels.”
According to i paper, Man City remain interested in Zabarnyi, with Bournemouth now placing a £50m price tag on the centre-back as the Ukraine international is also on the transfer list of Newcastle.
This is likely a result of the Cherries losing Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid this summer, as they will not want their squad picked apart after a very positive campaign, in which they could still end up with European football.
It remains to be seen if Man City make a move for Zabarnyi over the coming weeks, as they have had success recruiting from Bournemouth in the past.
Illya Zabarnyi could be the next Nathan Ake for Man City
Man City signed Nathan Ake from Bournemouth in 2020, and the Dutch star has gone on to have an incredible career in Manchester, making 143 appearances at City, whilst winning every trophy possible at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola has been a big fan of the 30-year-old since his arrival as he can play at centre-back, as well as left-back.
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Zabarnyi is solely a centre-back but could be viewed as the long-term replacement for Ruben Dias, should the Portuguese star go anywhere soon.
The 22-year-old is unlikely to arrive at Man City this summer as Guardiola has no concerns at centre-back in recent weeks and the Manchester club have other areas that need addressing first.
Zabarnyi could be an option for City further down the line, and the Ukrainian star may even be cheaper, as Bournemouth would likely be more open to selling the player at a later date.