When conflicts, especially geopolitical, invite themselves to football, it generally never makes good cleaning. A concern to which Paris Saint-Germain has to face. Indeed, the residents of the Parc des Princes recorded the signing for 5 years of Illia Zabarnyi on Tuesday. A player who is with angels, he who pushed to join the champions of France and Europe despite the advances of Tottenham and the firmness of Bournemouth during the negotiations. “”Paris Saint-Germain is the best club in the world, the best project. I think it's the best choice possible. I'm here to give everything I have on the field, it's as simple as that (…) I felt that people wanted me to come here and honestly, it really motivated me! It really made me want to come as soon as possible. And finally, it happened ”.
But since its signature, more than the price of its transfer (€ 67 million, with bonus), its qualities or its physical resemblance to actor Bradley Cooper, it is above all his cohabitation with Matvey Safonov who is at the center of debates and questions because of the war between Russia and Ukraine. The only shadow in this idyllic painting. If in Russia has caused ink to flow, in particular concerning the future of Safonov, Ukraine also talks about it. Tuesday, Tribuna also mentioned the fact that the Parisian recruit followed all its teammates on Instagramexcept the Russian goalkeeper. A clear gesture that already says a lot. However, in the process, the player's wife, Angelina Zabarnya, has removed all his anti-Russian posts on the social network. All their actions are therefore closely scrutinized, notably by the Ukrainian press which is interested in this burning subject.
A transfer that questions
The media Zn, ua wrote elsewhere: “On August 12, PSG announced the transfer of the Ukrainian defender of Bournemouth Ilya Zabarny. PSG paid 63 million euros (excluding bonuses) in Bournemouth for the Ukrainian. The defender signed a contract until 2030 and will play under number 6. We know that one of the conditions for the transfer was the departure of Russian Safonov. The former Russian goalkeeper of Krasnodar played 17 games with the Parisians, all competitions, last season. It was previously reported that the Russian PSG player does not intend to leave the team due to the transfer of the Ukrainian Zabarny. ” During the negotiations with the French champions, the Zabarnyi clan would therefore have mentioned the departure of Safonov among the conditions to sign if we rely on local publication. Information also mentioned in the columns of Tribuna.
“It was reported that the newcomer, Ukrainian Illia Zabarnyi, had asked that Safonov was not selected, and that the club was ready to compromise. According to some information, the Russian has been offered in Galatasaray. His contract is valid until 2029. ” For his part, Champions evokes the future of the Russian porter. “Safonov has already been asked. At PSG, we only remembered him after his comic failure against Bayern Munich. It turned out to be sufficient. We know that the Parisian leader, Luis Campos, now offers Matvey to everyone, but there are no interested parties. 20 million euros is a lot for Zenit and Spartak, and Galatasaray set his sights mainly on Ederson de Manchester City. Parisians have already recruited Luca Chevalier in Lille for 40 million euros, but who will then be the replacement goalkeeper? ”
In Ukraine, we are rather against cohabitation
The media adds: “For Safonov, it's the only chance to stay. The Russian press comments on Matvey's possible appearances and Illia at PSG in a spirit of propaganda (…) on our side, of course, it's different. We are impatiently waiting for Safonov to come from where he came a year ago for unknown reasons. ” In the columns of local publication SportYevhen Levchenko, former player of the Ukraine national team, spoke of this situation which has everything of a powder maker for PSG. “I do not know what the agreements were, but I hope that this Russian will leave the club as quickly as possible. If Safonov speaks publicly against war, against what Russia does in Ukraine, this is normal for me. If he keeps silence and he says nothing about it, this player should leave PSG as soon as possible. ” On RMC Sport Nearly, Andrew Todos, Anglo-Ukrainian journalist, also wondered.
“It's a main subject since January and the first rumors about his arrival in Paris. It will be interesting to see how it will happen. He has a very great reputation in Ukraine. He has the image of a clean guy, who does not drink, has never made the headlines. He just plays well on the field and everyone loves him for that. But it will be necessary to monitor if there is no camaraderie between the two because really, if there was a photo between them or if we see them talking together in training, I think there will be really angry people in Ukraine (…) in Ukraine, there should not be anything between the two, an exchange, a discussion. Especially since Safonov is a member of the national selection, considered an extension of the Russian state. I think Zabarnyi knows it, but that this opportunity to come to Paris was too great to refuse it. ” In addition to cohabitation with Zabarnyi, the question of competition with Marquinhos also makes people speak in Ukraine, even if it is believed that he comes to be his successor and a competitor more than a lining.
