Tottenham Hotspur have failed in an attempt to sign Illya Zabarnyi from Dynamo Kyiv, according to reliable Ukrainan outlet Zorya Londonsk. 

The lowdown

Spurs have already made eight signings in the summer transfer window, spending in excess of £150million, but it seems they've continued to explore options.

One of those is Zabarnyi, a 20-year-old centre-back who came through the youth ranks at Dynamo Kyiv.

Under contract until June 2026, he's played 66 times for the club and racked up 22 caps for the senior Ukraine side already (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

The outlet relay claims from Dynamo Kyiv Inside that Spurs have seen a £25million bid for Zabarnyi rejected.

They say their own sources 'share the same consensus', though there may have been 'a little less' money on offer.

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The verdict

Spurs have done deals for two centre-backs already this summer, making Cristian Romero's loan from Atalanta permanent and bringing in Clement Lenglet from FC Barcelona.

But Lenglet has only signed on loan without an option to buy, potentially indicating that he's only viewed as a short-term solution.

Zabarnyi, by contrast, is a young player whom Spurs may consider a likely star of the future.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig concurs, tweeting earlier this month that whichever club signs him will hit the 'jackpot'.

He's described as a 'complete' and 'dominant' centre-back boasting 'great positioning', a 'very good reading of the game' and composure in possession.

If this deal isn't doable right now, then perhaps the Lilywhites will revisit it in January.