Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Illia Zabarnyi is a player to “keep an eye on” for Liverpool this summer, having been linked with a move for him plenty of late.
The Ukrainian is a player who Andoni Iraola knows extremely well, having worked together at Bournemouth, and he could potentially be on the move ahead of next season.
Zabarnyi has struggled to be a key man for PSG, due to the performances of Marquinhos and Willian Pacho, and one report has suggested that Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign him.
Now, speaking to Anfield Index, reliable journalist David Lynch has continued to talk up a possible move to Anfield this summer, with plenty points towards the transfer happening:
“Yes. So definitely someone to kind of at least keep an eye on. I’d say, you know, Richard Hughes bought him for Bournemouth. Obviously Iraola worked with him and absolutely loved him as well.
“And there’s a suggestion PSG will be open to a sale. But there’s, I mean, how many ifs are there? Like it’s crazy really.”
Is Illia Zabarnyi good enough for Liverpool?
There may be some who aren’t too enamoured with this rumour, given Zabarnyi’s struggles at PSG, but there is plenty to like about him joining Liverpool.
Still only 23, the Ukraine international has his best years ahead of him, and Lucas Beraldo has spoken highly about his ability, saying: “He’s an incredible player. I think he’ll find it very easy to play with us. He’ll help us a lot. We’re also here to help him feel at home.”
The fact that Iraola knows Zabarnyi’s qualities so well can only be a good thing, in terms of taking away that risk element, and he could come in as an excellent squad option who doesn’t start every week.
In Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool have two of Europe’s most exciting central defenders, but Zabarnyi can act as a more experienced option alongside Virgil van Dijk while they mature as players.
Granted, there may be more eye-catching targets out there – not many are being linked, in truth – but the former Bournemouth man could be a shrewd addition who returns to his best in a Reds shirt.
Henry is an experienced football writer with a huge passion and knowledge of Liverpool.
He is also a main contributor for This Is Anfield, one of the world's biggest Reds-related sites, where he writes features and news, and covers matchday content.
Henry has written articles for the Times and the Guardian, too, as well as featured on the radio on BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC. He has accumulated over 30,000 followers on Twitter/X.