Dynamo Kiev should not stand in Illya Zabarnyi’s way if Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur firm up their interest, former Ukraine international Vyacheslav Shevchuk tells Sport Analytic.
The Ukrainian giants have already allowed one homegrown youngster to embark upon a new adventure on English soil this year.
And with Spurs showing an interest in 19-year-old Zabarnyi, Everton left-back Vitaliy Mykolanko could have some company sooner rather than later.
Reporter Alisdair Gold claimed earlier this week that Tottenham are ‘having a really good look’ at the teenage centre-back. Two footed, technically gifted and blessed with a maturity far beyond his years, Zabarnyi feels like the sort of signing capable of making an immediate impact while establishing himself as a key player for years to come.
And Shevchuk, who played 56 times for Ukraine between 2003 and 2016, believes that Zabarnyi should be allowed to go if Tottenham make an offer Dynamo simply cannot refuse.
“Zabarnyi, at 19, is showing a very mature game,” says Shevchuk. “If there is an offer that suits Dynamo, why not? Tottenham are a top team.
“And Dynamo already has a readymade replacement – young (Maksym) Dyachuk.”
Will Tottenham Hotspur sign Illya Zabarnyi?
It is not certain at this stage how much Dynamo Kiev will demand for Zabaryni. But Tottenham, according to The Athletic, are ready and willing to invest a huge sum in a new central defender, one year after splashing out around £40 million for the outstanding Cristian Romero.
Spurs have made a left-sided centre-half their top priority this summer. Zabarnyi, who is equally comfortable on the left or the right, would surely come a lot cheaper than the likes of Pau Torres, Alessandro Bastoni and Sven Botman.
But, according to Dynamo assistant coach Emile Caras, speculation is the inevitable byproduct of Zabarnyi’s increasingly impressive performanes.
“Zabarny, at 19, is already an adult footballer,” says Caras. “He lacks experience. He has only played at a high level for two years.
“(But) he is ready to play at the highest level. A lot depends on us, and a lot depends on the clubs that are interested in him. Today it is Tottenham, tomorrow (the media) will write something else.
“Now, it is the transfer window. They write a lot.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
