Dynamo Kiev’s assistant manager Emil Caras has insisted he is not concerned about the speculation linking Illya Zabarnyi with a move to Tottenham this summer.
Tottenham are reportedly in the market for two centre-backs this summer, with Football.London’s Alasdair Gold revealing two weeks ago that Zabarnyi is one of the names on the North London club’s radar.
The 19-year-old has come on leaps and bounds since making his senior debut for Dynamo Kyiv in September 2020, and was arguably the best defender in the Ukrainian top-flight during the 2021/22 season until the competition was called off due to the Russian invasion.
The teenager has already established himself as a mainstay for Ukraine, having won 22 caps for his country so far.
Ukrainian legend Yozhef Sabo stated last week that the teenager has all the attributes to reach the very top of the game, and that he could be worth around €50m (£43.5m) in a couple of years (1927 Kiev).
Caras, who is Mircea Lucescu’s assistant at Dynamo, spoke in glowing terms about Zabarnyi’s talent but he also dismissed the speculation over the defender’s future.
He told Sport Analytic: “Zabarny, at 19, is already an adult footballer. He lacks experience. He has only played at a high level for two years.
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“(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.”
Spurs Web Opinion
As evidenced by our signing of Pape Matar Sarr last summer, Fabio Paratici likes taking a punt on up-and-coming talent. So, it is not surprising that the Spurs managing director of football is tracking Zabarnyi. However, I do not think the Ukrainian is likely to be our top centre-back target this summer.
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