Journalist claims Ukrainian star who plays in Premier League 'turned down PSG transfer because their goalkeeper is Russian'

A journalist has claimed a Ukraine star who plays in the Premier League has 'turned down a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain because their goalkeeper is Russian'.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was sanctioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin, in February 2022 saw the country receive severe consequences in the sporting world.

Russia was subsequently banned from competing in any UEFA or FIFA-related football event while Russian athletes in other sports must compete under a neutral flag.

The ongoing war has seen Illya Zabarnyi 'refuse' to play for PSG because of their Russian goalkeeper amid transfer links.

Zabarnyi, who plays for Bournemouth, has been linked with a move to PSG following his stellar performances in the Premier League.

But, according to French outlet France Bleu, the Ukrainian defender 'refuses' to play with PSG's Matvey Safonov, who is Russian and has 14 international caps.

Furthermore, PSG's management even 'considered the idea of immediately parting ways' with Safonov to pursue a transfer for Zabarnyi.

It's claimed that Zabarnyi wouldn't come to PSG if Safonov was in the squad.

Illya Zabarnyi in action for Bournemouth. Image: Getty

Zabarnyi joined Bournemouth from Dynamo Kiev in January 2023 for a reported fee of £24 million, signing a five-and-a-half-year contract.

Last season, he made 37 league appearances and has played every league game this campaign.

The 22-year-old has 22 international caps to his name, having made his senior debut against France in October 2020.

As for Safonov, he signed for PSG from Krasnodar in a deal worth £17 million last summer.

He has played eight games across all competitions, making five Ligue 1 appearances.

The Russian stopper briefly deputised for Gianluigi Donnarumma following the Italian's nasty collision with AS Monaco's Wilfried Singo.

SPORTbible has contacted Illya Zabarnyi's representatives for comment.