Tottenham have been linked with a shock move for Paris Saint-Germain defender.
With less than a week before the new 2026/27 Premier League season starts, Tottenham Hotspur are working hard to crack some deals.
Roberto De Zerbi remains keen to add to his forward department, having already improved the defence and midfield with six signings. The 47-year-old has also overseen the departures of more than 10 players- either on loan or permanently. One of the high-profile names to leave the club this summer is Cristian Romero.
Romero finally secured his dream move to La Liga, joining Atletico Madrid on a long-term deal. Spurs will receive €35 million plus €5m in add-ons from Atletico Madrid for the 2026 World Cup finalist. It has been suggested in some quarters that the 28-year-old’s departure has created a void in the squad, resulting in the club dipping into the transfer market for a replacement.
Paris Saint-Germain defender linked with a shock move to Tottenham
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham are among a few Premier League clubs linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain defender Illia Zabarnyi. Liverpool and Chelsea also retain an interest in the 23-year-old, who has the possibility of leaving Parc des Princes after just one season.
Illia Zabarnyi joined Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth around £57 million from Bournemouth last summer. The Ukrainian international was a regular in Ligue 1, making 28 appearances, but found opportunities hard to come by in the Champions League. Should suitable opportunities arise via further squad restocking, the defender could still secure a move back to the Premier League. Until then, Zabarnyi’s future is one to keep an eye on.
The report adds Tottenham have taken a look at the former Bournemouth man, but there has yet to be any serious contact with PSG or the player’s representatives over a potential move to White Hart Lane.
Tottenham do not need to sign another centre-back
The Lilywhites have already made moves in the transfer market, bringing in Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke to strengthen their backline heading into the new season. Senesi was snapped up on a free transfer from Bournemouth at the start of June, while Van Hecke joined from Brighton in a £52 million deal.
With Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso also a part of the defensive roster, De Zerbi does not really need a new centre-back. While Zabarnyi’s acquaintance with the Premier League could prove a tempting factor for Tottenham, a player of his age, potential, calibre and ambition would understandably want assurances over his role before joining.
De Zerbi would naturally struggle to give him assurances of regular first-team football, owing to the options he currently has at his disposal. That said, the North Londoners must avoid going for Zabarnyi and focus only on attacking reinforcements.