Illya Zabarnyi of AFC Bournemouth runs with the ball. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Tottenham ‘ready to match’ £61m asking price for ‘robust’ 22-year-old – Journalist

Originally posted on the Boy Hotspur | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 2:15 PM ET

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Bournemouth defender Illya Zabarnyi during the summer transfer window.

According to journalist Luca Bendoni, PSG are hoping to sign the Ukrainian defender from the Premier League club, but Tottenham are now ‘ready to match’ his £61 million asking price. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can get the deal across the line.

Tottenham wanted to sign Zabarnyi a couple of years ago as well.

Tottenham need a quality defender

They were quite vulnerable defensively last season, and they need a reliable central defender. On top of that, Cristian Romero has been linked with a move away from the club.

Tottenham will need to tighten up at the back and replace their key defender if he decides to move on. It is no surprise that they are keen on the 22-year-old Premier League defender. Zabarnyi has proven himself in England, and he has the qualities to play for the biggest clubs in the world. He has been described as a “reliable” and “robust” defender.

Can Spurs convince Illya Zabarnyi?

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can beat the European champions to his signature. PSG have the financial resources to get the deal done as well. The player is prioritising a move to the French club, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops.

Tottenham need to improve their squad if they want to bounce back strongly. They finished in the bottom half of the table last season, and that is simply unacceptable for a club of their stature.

Zabarnyi is a reliable performer in the Premier League, and he will help Tottenham improve. It remains to be seen whether the London club can convince him to join them. On the other hand, PSG have an exceptional project and they have recently won the league title and the Champions League. It is no surprise that the player is prioritising a move to France.

This article first appeared on the Boy Hotspur and was syndicated with permission.

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