Tottenham Hotspur have kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 victory over Reading, and the buzz around North London is growing—not just because of the result, but due to the exciting transfer developments.

Luka Vuskovic made an instant impact, bagging a goal and an assist on his debut, while Mohammed Kudus also shone in his first appearance since his switch from West Ham, providing a well-timed assist. Although Mathys Tel didn’t feature, he’s expected to be a game-changer for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Spurs Eye £61 Million Move for Illia Zabarnyi

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are willing to shell out a whopping £61 million to land Bournemouth’s defensive star Illia Zabarnyi. The Ukrainian centre-back has attracted interest from heavyweights like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain—but it’s Spurs who have reportedly matched Bournemouth’s asking price, putting them firmly in the driver’s seat.

While PSG already had an initial offer turned down, Chelsea and Liverpool are yet to formalise their interest. If Spurs can move quickly, they may just win the race for one of Europe’s most promising young defenders.

Do Spurs Really Need Zabarnyi?

Here’s where the deal becomes a bit questionable. Tottenham’s central defensive unit is arguably one of the most complete in the Premier League. With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven as first-choice starters, and Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso, and now Luka Vuskovic in reserve, depth doesn’t seem to be an issue.

The more pressing need lies at left-back, not centre-back—Zabarnyi’s preferred position. The 21-year-old has never played as a wide defender, which raises doubts over where he’d fit in Postecoglou’s system.

A Better Fit Elsewhere?

Zabarnyi may find more opportunity at clubs like Chelsea or Liverpool, where long-term defensive restructuring is on the cards. PSG, too, could return with an improved offer as they search for a successor to Marquinhos.