One Premier League defender’s rumoured switch to Tottenham is now being talked up back in his home country, with a pundit endorsing the transfer.
Premier League
Photo by SpursWeb
Tottenham eyeing 22-year-old defender
The player in question is Illia Zabarnyi, whose stock has risen massively since he made the switch to Bournemouth 18 months ago.
The Ukrainian’s solid displays at the back for Andoni Iraola’s men have allegedly attracted interest from Tottenham, with some reports indicating over recent months that the Lilywhites are plotting a move for the player who is valued at £50m.
It has even been suggested by a few outlets that the North London club had been tracking the 22-year-old even before he moved to the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth
Tottenham move endorsed for Illia Zabarnyi
Spurs are not the only one rumoured to be after the Bournemouth star, with reports in Ukraine claiming that he is also a target for Real Madrid.
Former Dynamo Kyiv ace, Viktor Leonenko, has suggested that the time has come for the Cherries man to make a step up to a top club.
When asked which Ukranian player has impressed him the most this year, he told UKR Football: “Of course, Zabarnyi. Zabarnyi has a good reputation in England and is stable at Bournemouth. I hope that, in the winter, he will be taken somewhere to a good club.”
When asked about the speculation over the centre-back’s future, Leonenko responded: “Real Madrid, Tottenham… Why not? He plays well and consistently. The main thing is that he moves to a good club, and I don’t like to guess where.
“Everyone wants to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona, but not everyone can play there. Maybe Zabarnyi will sit in the reserves like [back-up Los Blancos goalkeeper Andriy] Lunin, but I hope he moves to the club where he will play.”
Real Madrid
What Zabarnyi has said about his future
The Cherries man himself broke his silence about his future last month, hinting that he is keen to build on his impressive performances this season so that he can make the switch to a bigger club.
When quizzed about the rumours, Zabarnyi told Champion (via Sport Witness): “Liverpool or Tottenham? I don’t know yet. Is this season decisive for me? Perhaps yes. Every year is important for me, last season after injuries was also important. I proved myself well. Now everything is also in my hands, it all depends on me.”
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