Illia Zabarnyi is reportedly at the top of Liverpool‘s shortlist of Ibrahima Konate replacements.
CaughtOffside reports that Zabarnyi is under consideration if the Reds need to sign a new centre-back this summer. Konate’s future is up in the air amid interest from Real Madrid, and the club doesn’t want to lose the Frenchman for free.
The 26-year-old’s contract expires next summer, and while he’s in talks with the Merseysiders, he’s turned down their latest renewal offer. Madrid are using this to their advantage and have reportedly been told it will take £43m to sign him this summer.
Liverpool Could Replace Konate With Zabarnyi
The Bournemouth centre-back has plenty of options
Liverpool continues to make major moves in this transfer window, and the latest has seen Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike close in on becoming their new number nine. The Frenchman is a medical away from completing a £82m switch to Anfield.
The Reds may then turn their focus to defence and they are one of several clubs eyeing Zabarnyi amid a stellar past season with Bournemouth. He shined alongside Madrid new-boy Dean Huijsen in Andoni Iraola’s defence. The Ukrainian is also on Tottenham Hotspur’s radar, while Paris Saint-Germain have had offers of up to €60m (£52m) rejected by the Cherries.
The 22-year-old is also on Newcastle United and Chelsea’s wishlists, but Arne Slot appears to be a fan amid growing uncertainty over Konate’s future. It could take a fee of around €70m (£60m) to convince the South Coast outfit to sell the centre-back who has four years on his current deal.
Illia Zabarnyi (Premier League 2024-25)
Appearances:
36
Interceptions:
1.1
Tackles per game:
1.4
Balls recovered per game:
4.4
Clearances:
5.0
Total duels won:
3.9 (63%)
Zabarnyi joined Bournemouth from Dynamo Kyiv in the summer of 2023 for a fee in the region of £24m. He’s proven to be a hit at the Vitality, being hailed as “unbelievable” by teammate Philip Billing. He helped Iraola’s side to a best-ever ninth-placed finish and the sixth-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 46 goals.
Liverpool haven’t taken concrete steps to sign the 49-cap Ukraine international, as they are likely waiting to see what unfolds regarding Konate’s situation. They are in the mix and have already done business with the Cherries by spending £40m on left-back Milos Kerkez earlier this summer.
All statistics courtesy of SofaScore – correct as of 20.07.2025
Sign up to The GIVEMESPORT Report to get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox
Related
Liverpool Asking Price for ‘Simply Sensational’ Star Emerges, Talks Ongoing
The Reds’ demands have been revealed amid contract issues.