Manchester City are not shopping in the centre-back market this summer.
The Premier League giants are set to undergo a rebuild ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with Guardiola keen to add four or five players to his squad, having just experienced a tough season.
At the heart of this, a revamp of the Spanish coach’s midfield will take place with Man City closing in on Tijjani Reijnders, while the Premier League club are also working on a deal for Rayan Cherki.
In addition to this, a goalkeeper and two full-backs for either side are expected to arrive at the Etihad Stadium, with Guardiola content with his centre-back options.
Man City have had a Premier League central defender on their list for some time, should they ever want to add to the role, but their target looks set to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer, having already given the green light to the move.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi has agreed to join PSG
Man City have held long-term interest in Illia Zabarnyi as the Ukrainian centre-back has impressed in the Premier League ever since moving to Bournemouth in 2023 from Dynamo Kyiv.
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Last month, it was reported that Man City could sign Zabarnyi for around £50m this summer, however, it seems that the centre-back has decided to move to PSG ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
According to RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins, PSG have made an offer for Zabarnyi, with the Champions League winners’ advisor, Luis Campos, said to be in England on Monday morning to negotiate a deal with Bournemouth.
🚨🔴🔵 EXCL Le Paris Saint-Germain a fait une offre pour Illia Zabarnyi
🔹 De sources anglaises, le conseiller sportif du club parisien Luis Campos était ainsi dès ce lundi matin en Angleterre, à Bournemouth.
🔹L'international ukrainien est séduit par le projet parisien et a… pic.twitter.com/kcVV8dOTfB
— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) June 3, 2025
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The Ukrainian international is said to be keen on a move to Paris and has already given the green light to the transfer, a deal PSG hope to get wrapped up quickly.
Zabarnyi would have been a good addition to Man City’s squad, but the 22-year-old is not a player that Guardiola needs at present, with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol set to be the Spanish coach’s starting pair throughout the 25/26 campaign.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
How Illia Zabarnyi compares to Ruben Dias
Man City are not in the market for a centre-back as both Dias and Gvardiol are incredible players and both are young enough to remain at the Etihad Stadium for many years.
Nevertheless, had the Manchester club been looking to replace the Portuguese star, Zabarnyi would have been a great option as the 22-year-old is similar to the City centre-back.
Player Games Goals Assists Bookings Minutes
Illia Zabarnyi 39 0 1 5 3384
Ruben Dias 41 0 0 7 3215
Both players are defensive-minded centre-backs who read the game well, are very strong physically, and are calm on the ball, which is essential when being part of a Guardiola team.
Dias is better on the ball than Zabarnyi, but that is an area the Ukrainian would have improved working with the Spanish coach in Manchester.
Not many Man City fans will be upset about missing out on the 22-year-old, however, it was easy to see why the Premier League giants were keeping an eye on the Ukrainian.