**Liverpool have reportedly been offered the opportunity to sign Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Illia Zabarnyi in the summer transfer window.**
Ibrahima Konate’s exit at the end of the season has heightened the need for the Reds to target at least one central defender, with Jeremy Jacquet also coming in from Rennes.
Giovanni Leoni’s return from a long-term injury will admittedly almost feel like a new signing, but the Italian needs to be handled with care, rather than being rushed back.
According to DaveOCKop on [_X_](https://x.com/DaveOCKOP/status/2061840851240694112?s=20), Liverpool have been sent a “proposal” by PSG to sign Zabarnyi this summer, not seeing him as a key squad player moving forward:
_“A proposal has been made to Liverpool with an opportunity to sign Ilya Zabarnyi from PSG by his representatives. It remains to be seen if Liverpool will act on the opportunity. The Ukrainian is open to a move away from Paris.”_
**Could Illia Zabarnyi be an ideal signing for Liverpool?**
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Zabarnyi is a player who Andoni Iraola knows so well from his Bournemouth days, which immediately stands out as a reason for Liverpool to sign him.
The 23-year-old, who joined PSG for [£57m](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1leezv2r0zo) back in 2024, was lauded by Joe Partington for his brilliance alongside Dean Huijsen as a centre-back signing for the Cherries:
_“The two lads at the moment have taken Bournemouth to a completely different level. In terms of ability, they are the best two, they are the best two by quite some distance at the moment.They look really strong, really connected, on the same page. It is verything you would want from a defensive centre-back pairing.”_
The fact that Zabarnyi has struggled for playing time for PSG may be a concern, though, suggesting he may not be at the elite level required for Liverpool, despite coming on in extra-time in the Champions League final win over Arsenal last Saturday.
The Reds need to sign someone who can be a guaranteed starter and fill the void left by Konate, allowing Jacquet and Leoni to play here and there.
If Iraola believes Zabarnyi can be that man, he should be trusted, but Liverpool may be wise to look at other options at the same time.