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Liverpool’s search for defensive reinforcements could intensify following Ibrahima Konate’s confirmed departure, with the club continuing to assess several centre-back options.
DaveOCKOP.com revealed toward the end of 2025 that Liverpool held talks with Nico Schlotterbeck’s representatives.
The German defender recently extended his contract at Borussia Dortmund until 2031, but it’s believed there is a release clause available to the Reds alongside a few other elite clubs such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
But on the outgoing front, Curtis Jones’ future remains unresolved, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2027.
Following Arne Slot’s departure, some Liverpool supporters hoped the managerial change could persuade the 25-year-old to reconsider his future at Anfield. Jones is understood to favour a move to Inter Milan this summer, although the arrival of Andoni Iraola could yet influence his thinking.
As a result, Jones’ representatives recently met with Liverpool to discuss his future.
Sources indicate that during discussions surrounding Jones’ future, Liverpool were also made aware of a separate opportunity in the transfer market.
DaveOCKOP can exclusively reveal that Liverpool have been offered the chance to explore a deal for Paris Saint-Germain defender Ilya Zabarnyi. It could turn out to be an intriguing proposal for the Reds.
Talks are at an exploratory stage right now. The club has simply been presented with the option, and it is understood that initial dialogue has taken place.
Zabarnyi is thought to be less than fully satisfied with his situation in the French capital, and Paris Saint-Germain would be open to selling if their terms are met. PSG signed the Ukrainian centre back from Bournemouth last summer in a deal worth £54.5 million (€63 million guaranteed), with a further £2.6 million in potential add-ons.
The two-time European champions would be expected to seek at least a fee matching what they paid for him.
At PSG last season, Zabarnyi had been a consistent presence in Ligue 1, starting 26 of his 28 appearances in the French topflight.
But his UEFA Champions League involvement tells a different story, one that his camp may now be looking to address.
Ilya Zabarnyi featured in just 7 matches in the competition last season, accumulating a modest 213 minutes in total.
Despite being part of PSG’s Champions League-winning squad, Zabarnyi played a limited role in the latter stages of the competition, failing to start a knockout fixture and making only a brief substitute appearance in the final.
With Andoni Iraola set to take charge at Anfield and already familiar with Zabarnyi’s qualities from their time together at Bournemouth, Liverpool now face a decision over whether to turn an exploratory conversation into genuine transfer interest.
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