Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is reportedly considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain defender Illia Zabarnyi, a player he previously worked with at Bournemouth. The potential transfer comes as Iraola begins reshaping the squad following his arrival at Anfield earlier this month.
Iraola is tasked with restoring Liverpool’s competitiveness after a disappointing season under his predecessor, and strengthening the central defence has been identified as a key area for improvement, particularly after Ibrahima Konate’s departure to Real Madrid. According to Liverpool FC journalist David Lynch, speaking on RedMenTV, Zabarnyi is a player who could emerge as a target.
Lynch explained that Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, is familiar with the Ukrainian international from his time at Bournemouth, and Iraola himself is known to admire the player. He suggested that if PSG are willing to offer a “cut-price deal” due to Zabarnyi not being a regular starter under Luis Enrique, Liverpool would likely be very interested, drawing parallels to their successful acquisition of Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich.
Zabarnyi joined PSG last summer for a reported €63 million (£57 million) plus bonuses, but he made only 37 appearances in all competitions for the French champions, often behind Willian Pacho and Marquinhos in the pecking order. The 21-year-old has 58 caps for Ukraine and established himself as a promising defender during his time with Bournemouth under Iraola.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has also highlighted the need for defensive reinforcements, telling TEAMtalk that the club is “massively light” in that area. He specifically emphasized the need for a new right-back and suggested that Zabarnyi could be a viable option, alongside potentially pursuing Bradley Barcola or Désiré Doué to bolster the attack. The situation remains fluid, and a move for Zabarnyi will likely depend on PSG’s willingness to sell and Liverpool’s ability to secure a favourable deal.
