Report from France suggests Newcastle United are ready to go up against PSG for £55m defender
In a report that, if true, proves that Newcastle United have learned nothing this summer, the Magpies are set to go up against another European powerhouse in the pursuit of signings.
We are taking this one with a hefty pinch of salt, but Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be the main competition for Paris Saint-Germain in the pursuit of Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi.
The Magpies were linked with Zabarnyi before the start of the window, but no moves took place. With the window drawing to a close and still no central defender through the door at St James' Park, it's expected that Newcastle will start making moves ASAP.
Bournemouth look set to agree a £55 million fee with PSG for the Ukranian and L'Equipe claims that Newcastle will match it in a desperate attempt to cut off the European Champions.
Newcastle ready to meet PSG's offer if Illia Zabarnyi shows interest in move
Zabarnyi and PSG reportedly agreed terms in May, but the two clubs have yet to come to an agreement, leaving the door slightly open for a hijack.
It sounds like it has been a bit of a saga for the French club with the report saying: ‘For several days now, everyone involved in the project has been experiencing an emotional roller coaster, thinking that everything would be resolved in a few hours, before becoming pessimistic.’
They then go on to state that both Spurs and Newcastle are ready to meet Bournemouth's demands if Zabarnyi hints that he'd be interested in a move.
We aren't convinced by the report, but we'll be hopeful anyway
It sounds like a load of paper talk to us, especially with it originating in France, but there has been interest there, so it's not beyond the realms of possibility.
This comes at a time when things could be starting to move on AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, but it makes sense to have a few bases covered, given how things have panned out for Newcastle this summer.
Thiaw would likely be cheaper than Zabarnyi, but the latter does have Premier League experience and is younger. To be honest, though, we'd take either of them. And the sooner the better, please.
