Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs monitoring Illia Zabarnyi’s situation at Paris Saint-Germain, with a summer exit still considered possible for the Ukraine international. As Teamtalk reported, the 23-year-old is attracting interest, although the shape of the market suggests any concrete move may rely on other deals happening first.
Zabarnyi’s name has surfaced in connection with several Premier League sides in recent weeks, but the picture is becoming clearer. Liverpool had been viewed as a possible destination given his strong previous working relationship with Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth. That route now appears effectively closed. Liverpool’s defensive options are already well stocked and, following the arrival of Ronald Araujo, there is little indication that another major centre-back investment is currently a leading priority.
From Zabarnyi’s side, regular first-team football is understood to be important. That point matters. Any club entering the conversation would likely need to offer a genuine pathway into the starting line-up, especially after PSG paid around £57 million to sign him only last summer.
Spurs interest emerges in open market
That is where Tottenham become relevant. Cristian Romero’s departure has altered the make-up of the squad and naturally created space in central defence. Sources cited by Teamtalk indicate Spurs have examined the possibility of a move, though there has not yet been serious contact over a deal.
Even so, the logic is easy to follow. Zabarnyi is Premier League proven from his Bournemouth spell, still young for a centre-back, and already accustomed to high-level expectations. He would also fit the profile of a defender entering his prime years while retaining further development potential.
The challenge, of course, lies in the financials and in timing. PSG are unlikely to sanction an easy departure at a discount, and there is no sense at this stage of a straightforward negotiation. Tottenham may need to stay alert rather than force the issue early.
Liverpool and Chelsea paths fade
Chelsea have also been mentioned in previous reporting, yet that avenue currently looks cooler. Their recent move for Maxence Lacroix has eased immediate pressure in that department, and while they tend to remain attentive to market opportunities, there is no sign of an aggressive push for Zabarnyi right now.
That leaves the defender in a waiting game. He has played regularly in Ligue 1, but the broader picture suggests he may need the window to develop before his best option becomes clear. A lot could depend on squad churn across England and France, particularly if clubs move players out late in the market.
PSG exit depends on transfer dominoes
For Tottenham, this feels like one to monitor rather than one approaching completion. The conditions are there, a talented centre-back, a possible PSG exit, and room in Spurs’ back line, but the deal flow around Europe could be decisive.
Zabarnyi remains a player of real interest because he combines top-flight experience with long-term value. If the right opening presents itself, Spurs may have a credible chance of bringing him back to the Premier League. For now, patience appears essential, both for the player and for any club hoping to secure him before the window closes.
Our View
From a Spurs point of view, this is exactly the sort of report that gets supporters excited. Zabarnyi looks like a serious option, not a speculative name thrown into the mix for noise. He knows the Premier League, he is still only 23, and he already carries himself like a defender ready for big responsibility. If Tottenham are truly looking at him, that feels like smart planning.
The big appeal is balance. He has experience, physicality and composure, and he would arrive with plenty of room still to grow. Replacing a figure like Romero is never simple, but bringing in someone with Zabarnyi’s profile would show ambition and forward thinking. Spurs need defenders who can cope with intensity and concentration under pressure, and he has already shown he can handle that in England.
There is also a sense that this could become a real opportunity if other clubs hesitate. Liverpool stepping back matters, Chelsea cooling matters, and Tottenham should be ready if PSG become open to serious talks. This is the type of move supporters want to see, decisive, credible and aimed at improving the first XI straight away.
If the finances can be made to work, Spurs should be pushing. Zabarnyi feels like a player who could settle quickly, raise the level of the defence and become a key figure for years. That is the kind of transfer window move that can genuinely lift confidence around the club.
