Fenerbahce's Enner Valencia in action with Dynamo Kyiv's Ilya Zabarnyi
Tottenham Hotspur have had Dynamo Kyiv defender Ilya Zabarnyi on their radar for a transfer swoop, but are now at risk of missing out on him to a Premier League rival.
The Lowdown: Tottenham pursuing Zabarnyi
Spurs’ interest in the 20-year-old is long-standing, with Football24 reporting at the end of the last transfer window that the north Londoners were willing to spend £25m to secure his services, but this was not deemed to be enough by Dynamo Kyiv.
After missing out on the Ukrainian in the summer, Spurs have struggled defensively in the Premier League this season, their tally of 31 goals conceded the sixth-highest in the division.
The Latest: Villa preparing move for Zabarnyi
According to The Sun, Antonio Conte‘s side are one of several English clubs to have had the 20-year-old on their radar, including the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.
However, it is Villa who are now ready for a last-gasp swoop for the £13m-valued defender before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, so Spurs could be set to miss out unless they act with haste.
The Verdict: Blow for Conte
Spurs’ defensive issues have been well-documented, with Emerson Royal coming in for criticism from Gabriel Agbonlahor earlier this season, while John Wenham has fumed about Clement Lenglet’s impact since arriving at the club last summer.
As such, a new addition in defence would have been ideal for Conte, and it is a blow that Villa could win the race for Zabarnyi, particularly given how vital he has been for Dynamo Kiev already despite still being at a very young age.
Hailed as a ‘complete & dominant’ centre-back by football Scout Jacek Kulig, who also said that the 6 foot 3 powerhouse has a ‘big future ahead’, that prediction is justified given that the Ukrainian gem has already made 84 appearances for his current club, including 12 in the Champions League.
Zabarnyi appears ready to make the step up to the Premier League, but unless Tottenham move swiftly, it seems unlikely that he will be coming to north London any time soon.
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