Tottenham and Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing 22-year-old Ukrainian international Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by French outlet L’Equipe, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are keen on signing Illia Zabarnyi. The Bournemouth centre-back wants to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window. However, with PSG yet to seal the deal, the two Premier League clubs are ready to hijack the move.
Tottenham and Newcastle United are “ready to immediately meet” Bournemouth’s valuation to part ways with Zabarnyi. The Cherries have been demanding around €70 million to sell the highly-rated centre-back, and the two Premier League clubs are willing to match the price.
Illia Zabarnyi and his meteoric rise
Illia Zabarnyi has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League since joining Bournemouth from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023. The 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength in the last two and a half years, with his exploits earning him a burgeoning reputation.
The Ukrainian international has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for Bournemouth while chipping in with one goal and one assist. Meanwhile, Zabarnyi’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Tottenham and Newcastle United are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
A man in demand
Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Illia Zabarnyi is understandable. The Lilywhites are scouring the market for a centre-back this summer amid uncertainties surrounding Cristian Romero’s long-term future. So, Zabarnyi has emerged as a viable target, with recent reports suggesting they are ready to accelerate their move to secure his services.
As for Newcastle United, the Magpies are keen on signing a centre-back amid the advancing age of Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, and Jamaal Lascelles. In addition, Sven Botman has struggled with fitness issues in the last 12 months. So, Zabarnyi is an option worth considering for Newcastle United.
While Zabarnyi is pushing to join PSG, the Ligue 1 champions have yet to find a common ground with Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Tottenham and Newcastle United are ready to fork out €70 million to sign the 22-year-old Ukrainian international. However, with the youngster keen on joining PSG, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for him.
