‘Tottenham to make Illia Zabarnyi decision as Marc Guehi stance emerges’
Tottenham Hotspur have some key decisions to make as their search for a new centre-back intensifies.
The Lilywhites are preparing for a return to the Champions League after winning last season’s Europa League title.
However, they’ll do so under new manager Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou this summer.
Centre-back has been earmarked as a key area for improvement, with Cristian Romero linked with a move away and suffering from fitness issues last season, while Micky van de Ven also succumbed to a lot of injuries.
Spurs set for Guehi frustration
Illia Zabarnyi and Marc Guehi have both been heavily linked with a switch to North London this summer as Frank looks to shore up his backline.
However, Guehi looks like an increasingly unrealistic prospect, with Liverpool seemingly hellbent on bringing him to Anfield as part of their lavish summer spending.
According to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, Spurs have been ‘looking at Guehi again’, but the England international ‘has his heart set’ on moving to Liverpool — who face the prospect of losing Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid.
“Tottenham have been looking at Marc Guehi again,” Brown told Football Insider (29 July).
“They want to sign a centre-back and he’s been on their list since they had that bid rejected in January, because Palace might be willing to let him go.
“I think it’s going to be a difficult one to get done though, because Liverpool are the favourites.
“He wants to go to a top-level side where he’s got a chance to win things like the Premier League and Champions League on a consistent basis.
“So I’m told he’s got his heart set on a move to Liverpool, where he could go and do that.
“They’re definitely interested in him and I expect they’ll make another offer at some stage.
“If that doesn’t happen, though, I wouldn’t be overly shocked to see him stay at Palace for another season and wait to go to Liverpool on a free transfer.
“Even if Tottenham do come in for him, I expect he would prefer to wait it out and see what else comes.
“There’s always a bit of uncertainty about Tottenham, for me, and I think he wants to go somewhere he’s going to be stitched-on and he knows what he’s going to get.
“Liverpool are the one he wants, so I think Tottenham will have to look elsewhere.”
Zabarnyi lined up as Guehi alternative
With Guehi seemingly on his way to Liverpool, Spurs must explore other options.
Bournemouth’s Zabarnyi is another centre-back understood to be on their radar, but a deal for him might not be so easy either.
The Cherries have already sold Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid this summer, and so will drive a very high price if they’re to part ways with their other starting centre-back from last season.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Illya Zabarnyi |
| Appearances | 36 |
| Minutes played | 3,113 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Tackles won | 36 |
| Interceptions | 41 |
| Fouls committed | 20 |
| Aerial duels won | 77 |
| Pass completion % | 82.5% |
And to make matters worse for Spurs, European champions Paris Saint-Germain have already started the bidding process for Zabarnyi, with £50million knocked back by Bournemouth, but with another offer to come soon.
It’s understood that Spurs do have the £60m available to meet Bournemouth’s asking prices for Zabarnyi, but trying to lure the Ukraine international to North London when the Champions League holders are in the mix may be just as difficult as persuading Guehi to say no to Liverpool.
Thomas Frank may have to start exploring other options soon.