Bournemouth desperately clinging onto 22 y/o ace amid Newcastle interest
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A Premier League club are reportedly desperately trying to keep hold of a key player this summer, with Newcastle United linked with a move for him.
Newcastle need a new centre-back this summer
After a disappointing 2023/24 season, the Magpies have roared back into form this term, winning the EFL Cup and on the verge of sealing a return to the Champions League.
The summer transfer window has to be a productive one for Newcastle, as the likes of Paul Mitchell and Eddie Howe look to work their magic without so may restraints from PSR, with at least one new centre-back at the top of their list of priorities.
That’s not to say that Fabian Schar and Dan Burn haven’t performed excellently this season, with the latter scoring in the EFL Cup final win over Liverpool, but both are now in their 30s, as is the case with Jamaal Lascelles. Sven Botman has also had serious injury problems, so he needs to be managed with care.
Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah has been linked with a move to Newcastle, having confirmed that he will leave the Bundesliga club on a free transfer this summer. At 29, he also isn’t getting any younger, but he could still be a strong signing on the cheap. Meanwhile, AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw has also emerged as a potential target in the past month or so.
Bournemouth trying to fend off Newcastle’s interest
According to a new update from Give Me Sport, Newcastle “admire” Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi, as they eye a summer move for him, in order to bolster their defence.
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Due to recent developments the Cherries are desperately fending off interest in the 22-year-old, however, having just lost fellow centre-back Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid for £50m.
Zabarnyi stands out as an excellent option for Newcastle ahead of the 2025/26 season, considering how impressive he has been at the heart of Bournemouth’s defence. His partnership with Huijsen has been a big reason why the Cherries have impressed, with Joe Partington heaping praise on them as a pairing.
“The two lads at the moment have taken Bournemouth to a completely different level. In terms of ability, they are the best two, they are the best two by quite some distance at the moment. They look really strong, really connected, on the same page. It is everything you would want from a defensive centre-back pairing.”
For that reason, it is wholly understandable why Bournemouth are so hesitant to sell Zabarnyi this summer, considering they would have to completely change their centre-back options.
Hopefully, though, Newcastle can still persuade them to accept a potential offer this summer, with the Ukrainian an ideal young target who has proven himself in the Premier League, even winning 4-1 away to the Magpies earlier in the season.
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