Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Iliya Zabarnyi this summer, according to Dave OCKop.
The Reds are in the market to bolster their squad this summer after a disappointing campaign, which saw them opt to part ways with manager Arne Slot over the weekend, and advance in their move to bring in Andoni Iraola as his immediate replacement.
But now the club is looking at the transfer market to strengthen the squad and shape it in the image of the new manager, and that has seen them presented with a chance to bring in a former player of his.
Liverpool Offered Ilya Zabarnyi
Illia Zabarnyi during a pre-match warm-up at Bournemouth
Zabarnyi, who has been described as 'unbelievable', was a key part of Iraola's Bournemouth side in the 2024/25 season and earned himself a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer as a result.
But the Ukraine international has struggled for regular game time under Luis Enrique, falling behind Marquinhos and Willian Pacho in the pecking order, and featuring for just 213 minutes in the Champions League, while he made 26 starts in Ligue 1.
The lack of minutes in the Champions League campaign has seen the player open up to a potential exit from the Parc des Princes, and the French champions are also open to letting him move on if they can recoup the £57m fee they paid to sign him.
It's reported that the player's representatives, who also represent Curtis Jones, offered the defender to Anfield chiefs during talks about the midfielder's future recently, and exploratory talks have since been held as a result.
A new centre-back is expected to be brought in after Ibrahima Konate departed the club following the expiry of his contract, and while Jeremy Jacquet is set to arrive, Zabarnyi would be an exciting addition to the squad.
Zabarnyi Would Be Expensive Gamble
Andoni Iraola
Iraola will know better than anyone else what Zabarnyi can offer to the Liverpool squad, but it would still represent a rather expensive gamble to bring him in for what the team need currently.
Virgil Van Dijk is still one of the first names on the team sheet, despite turning 35 before the new season begins, and while Jacquet is young and inexperienced, Liverpool clearly trust him as they spent £60m on him.
The Reds also have Giovanni Leoni once he returns from injury, and Joe Gomez in the squad. Zabarnyi has the quality to compete with them, but if he wants to be first-choice, then it may not be the right fit.
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