Tottenham transfer news: Spurs ‘really liked’ Zabarnyi before Bournemouth deal

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Tottenham were reportedly keen admirers of Ukrainian international Illya Zabarnyi before AFC Bournemouth completed the signing of the European wonderkid on deadline day,

According to Football London, Spurs ‘really liked’ the former Dynamo Kyiv defender and had scouted the 20-year-old extensively. However, Tottenham were too late in preparing a bid to sign Zabarnyi as Bournemouth secured the youngster’s signature on the final day of the January transfer window.

Tottenham spent the majority of deadline day trying to get Pedro Porro over the line having had the deal potentially collapse in the final week of the window. However, the Spanish defender was eventually announced as a new signing, with Matt Doherty leaving for Atletico Madrid and Djed Spence joining Stade Rennais on loan.

As per the report, Tottenham are targeting a young centre-back for the summer transfer window with Zabarnyi a player who could have potentially made their shortlist had the defender remainder with Dynamo. However, Bournemouth got in their first and have signed the defender’s services for a reported £24m.

Indeed, Zabarnyi could turn out to be one of the coups of the window with the Ukrainian international regarded by many as one of the best talents coming out of Eastern Europe and a player who could flourish on the biggest of stages in football.

And for Bournemouth, beating a rival club like Tottenham to the signing of Zabarnyi is a huge result for the Cherries, who could now have a player who will save them from Premier League relegation and who could one day net them a huge pay day in the years to come.

Bournemouth signing Zabarnyi should be viewed as a blow for Tottenham

Tottenham might have secured Porro on deadline day, but not signing a young centre-back could be viewed as a blow for the north London side, especially with Zabarnyi joining a rival club in Bournemouth for a deal that Spurs could have easily afforded.

With summer plans set to be made in the coming weeks, Conte will be keen to make sure an episode like this isn’t repeated, and for Tottenham, they have to ensure they are ahead of their rivals when it comes to signing talented youngsters such as Zabarnyi.