Set to generate nearly €200 million
AFC Bournemouth, despite having one of the smallest stadiums in Europe’s top five leagues with a capacity of just 11,307, emerged as a surprising contender in last season’s Premier League. The Cherries matched their highest-ever league finish (9th) and achieved their best points total (56), narrowly missing out on European qualification for the first time. Much of their success can be attributed to a formidable defense, expertly guided by manager Andoni Iraola.
Central defenders Ilya Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen formed a strong partnership after Huijsen’s €19.6 million transfer from Juventus last summer. Milos Kerkez emerged as one of the Premier League’s best young left-backs, while goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, on loan from Chelsea, along with right-back and club captain Adam Smith, provided valuable experience. However, with recent developments, it seems only the skipper may remain at the club. Bournemouth has a history of signing young defenders who enhance their abilities significantly.
How Bournemouth Built Their Impressive Young Defense
Ukrainian center-back Ilya Zabarnyi was acquired in 2022 from Dynamo Kyiv for €22.7 million. At just 20-years-old, he became one of the club’s most expensive defensive signings, second only to Nathan Aké (€20.8 million from Chelsea). Bournemouth’s foresight proved to be a wise investment, as Zabarnyi’s market value has now surged to €42 million. The Hungarian left-back Kerkez was signed from AZ Alkmaar for €20.5 million in 2023, marking the third-highest fee the club paid for a defender at the time. Initially valued at €15 million, Kerkez’s worth has since jumped to €45 million after two successful years at the club.
Furthermore, one of their most significant achievements was signing Dean Huijsen from Juventus for €19.6 million. After filling in for injured center-back Marcos Senesi early in the season, Huijsen quickly made his mark in the Premier League. By season’s end, he had become one of the brightest young defenders in the league, earned a spot in the Spanish national team, and saw his market value soar to €60 million.
Bournemouth’s Defense Dismantled This Summer
Identifying and nurturing young talent is valuable for a club like Bournemouth, but it often leads to difficulty retaining these players. This summer, while generating significant transfer revenue, Bournemouth has seen the dismantling of a once-sturdy defense. Huijsen transferred to Real Madrid for €62.5 million before the Club World Cup, resulting in a €42.9 million profit after just one season with the club. Similarly, Kerkez moved to Premier League champions Liverpool for €46.9 million, yielding a €26.6 million profit for Bournemouth.
Now, it appears that Zabarnyi is also on the verge of leaving, reportedly set to join Champions League winners PSG for a fee expected to surpass €50 million. Financially, these transfers are exceptional for Bournemouth, as they prepare to rake in nearly €200 million for three defenders they initially acquired for €62.8 million. However, they will need to find replacements for these three vital players. Adrien Truffert, a 23-year-old Frenchman, has been signed from Stade Rennes for €13.5 million to compete with young Julio Soler at left-back, while goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has been brought in to fill Arrizabalaga’s shoes. Nevertheless, the club appears short on center-backs and will be relying on their proactive scouting team to identify the next Huijsen or Zabarnyi this summer.
