Spurs usurp PSG's transfer plans with surprising bid, according to a news report
Tottenham Hotspur Miss Out on Defender Ilya Zabarnyi as PSG Secure €63-67m Transfer
Tottenham Hotspur's new manager, Thomas Frank, is gearing up for his first season in charge, but the north London club has suffered a setback in their defensive reinforcements. Paris Saint-Germain have secured the signing of Ukrainian defender Ilya Zabarnyi for a reported transfer fee of between €63 million and €67 million.
Zabarnyi, who joined Bournemouth from Dynamo Kyiv two years ago, has been a standout performer in the English Championship. His signing by PSG will undoubtedly bolster their defense for the upcoming seasons, solidifying a highly talented and physically strong defender in their ranks.
Despite Tottenham Hotspur's reported interest in Zabarnyi and their willingness to offer €70m for his services, the defender has expressed his preference to join PSG. The French champions offered Zabarnyi a five-year contract, which he accepted, expressing eagerness to join the French champions.
The transfer fee reflects Zabarnyi’s high market value as a promising central defender, making him the second-most expensive Ukrainian footballer ever in transfers. This move secures a significant investment by PSG, but one that could prove to be a masterstroke given Zabarnyi's impressive performances.
Tottenham Hotspur's interest in Zabarnyi might be considered excessive given their current defensive options, especially considering the substantial injuries that Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero suffered last season, which affected the club's defense. Archie Gray, a midfielder by trade, had to fill in for the defense due to these injuries.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have made five permanent signings so far this summer, including the acquisition of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United for £55m. Defensively, Tottenham's squad includes Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies, and several young players such as Luka Vuskovic, Ashley Phillips, and Kota Takai.
Despite the setback in securing Zabarnyi, Tottenham Hotspur will undoubtedly be looking to strengthen their defense further ahead of the new season under Frank's leadership.
[1] BBC Sport. (2023). PSG Agree €63m Deal for Bournemouth's Ilya Zabarnyi. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66170154
[2] Sky Sports. (2023). Ilya Zabarnyi: PSG Agree €67m Deal for Bournemouth Defender. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12595054/ilya-zabarnyi-psg-agree-67m-deal-for-bournemouth-defender
[3] The Guardian. (2023). PSG Agree €63m Deal for Bournemouth's Ilya Zabarnyi. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/01/psg-agree-63m-deal-for-bournemouth-defender-ilya-zabarnyi
[4] Transfermarkt. (2023). Ilya Zabarnyi. [online] Available at: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilya-zabarnyi/profil/spieler/63909
[5] Football London. (2023). Tottenham Hotspur Miss Out on Ilya Zabarnyi as PSG Agree €63m Deal. [online] Available at: https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/news/tottenham-hotspur-ilya-zabarnyi-psg-deal-23656133
[1] With PSG acquiring Ilya Zabarnyi for a reported €63-€67m, the Premier League could miss out on the highly talented Ukrainian defender.
[2] Despite Tottenham Hotspur's interest in Zabarnyi, his preference to join PSG will see him play in European leagues rather than the Premier League.
