A centre-back, who Tottenham Hotspur have been credited with a serious interest in over the last few weeks, could line up against Spurs in the UEFA Super Cup clash in two weeks.
Reports first emerged a couple of weeks ago that Tottenham are ready to make a big offer for Illia Zabarnyi, and since then, a number of other sources have talked up the Lilywhites’ interest in the Bournemouth man.
This includes an update by Duncas Castles, who asserted that Spurs have already made a bid of €70m (£60.6m) for Zabarnyi, who is also being targeted by Paris Saint-Germain.
Football Insider even reported last week that Tottenham are the front-runners to land Zabarnyi, with Andoni Iraola’s men unlikely to turn down offers of over £60m for the young centre-back.
However, despite these reports, many sources have maintained over the last few weeks that Zabarnyi would prefer to join PSG over Spurs this summer if the Parisians can reach an agreement with Bournemouth.
The centre-back may now get his wish as the Ligue 1 giants are attempting to do just that as they aim to send a bid to the South Coast club.
This update comes from Fabrizio Romano, who says that the Ukrainian had agreed on personal terms with PSG last month.
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However, he adds that despite rumours suggesting otherwise, Tottenham Hotspur have not held any concrete talks over the Cherries star this summer.
Romano tweeted: ‘Ilya Zabarny wants PSG and Paris Saint-Germain are set to improve their bid! The verbal agreement has been reached with Zabarnyi in June and PSG are set to approach Bournemouth again. No active talks with Tottenham so far despite reports.’
Why Tottenham may have changed their mind on Zabarnyi
A possible reason Tottenham’s interest in the Bournemouth man may have cooled could be that Cristian Romero now looks likely to remain at Spurs.
In fact, some outlets have even claimed that Romero is the favourite to be made the captain by Thomas Frank, particularly as Heung-min Son edges closer to the exit door.