Liverpool and Chelsea ‘really like’ another Bournemouth defender along with Milos Kerkez
TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Liverpool and Chelsea are really interested in signing Ilya Zabarnyi from Bournemouth.
The Cherries impressed everyone under Andoni Iraola in the 2024/25 season. They were a joy to watch more often than not, and many of their players are on the radar of big clubs now.
Liverpool and Chelsea both wanted Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, but the Spanish defender decided to join Real Madrid instead.
Left-back Milos Kerkez has been linked with the two clubs as well, and he is expected to be on the move this summer.
Now, we can reveal that both Chelsea and Liverpool are also big fans of another Cherries defender – Ilya Zabarnyi.
Bournemouth’s stance on Ilya Zabarnyi amid Liverpool, Chelsea and PSG interest
TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, understands that Bournemouth are insistent that they don’t want to lose Zabarnyi.
Newly-crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain expressed an interest in landing the 22-year-old, who has been outstanding for the Cherries since arriving from Dynamo Kyiv in 2023.
A number of Premier League clubs have been linked, but we can confirm that PSG have made enquiries and held talks about a possible move. But, no offer has been made by the French giants.
Bournemouth sources have told TBR Football that they do not want to sell and they don’t need to either, because unlike Huijsen, Zabarnyi does not have a release clause.
The player himself is happy at the Vitality Stadium, but his people are being kept informed.
TBR also understands that Chelsea and Liverpool are both huge admirers of Zabarnyi and are keeping tabs on his situation.
Bailey exclusively told TBR: “As it stands, Bournemouth are standing firm, they really don’t want to lose Zabarnyi, and they don’t need the money. I am not sure they can lose three of their back four, but PSG are going to try.
“And if it turns out that Zabarnyi is available, he has Premier League suitors, the main two being Chelsea and Liverpool. They really like the player.”
The latest on Milos Kerkez to Liverpool transfer
While Zabarnyi’s future remains unclear, it is almost certain now that Kerkez will be leaving Bournemouth.
The left-back was outstanding for the Cherries in the Premier League last season, and he was linked with plenty of clubs.
But, TBR can confirm that Liverpool are the favourites for his signature, and it’s only a matter of time before the deal becomes official.
Bailey said: “Talks are ongoing and the expectation is that it will be done within days.
“Personal terms between Kerkez and Liverpool were agreed a while ago, it’s just club to club now. We expect an agreement for a fee of around £45 million.”
Steven Gerrard shares his honest verdict after hearing Florian Wirtz could sign for Liverpool
There’s no bigger seal of approval you can receive at Liverpool than getting the nod from Steven Gerrard.
Indeed, Steven Gerrard may well be the biggest legend in Liverpool’s modern history, and if he rates you as a player, you won’t go too far wrong at Anfield.
The transfer window is open, and Liverpool are set to be busy.
Milos Kerkez is interested in joining Liverpool, while Jeremie Frimpong has already signed for the club ahead of what promises to be an exciting summer.
Florian Wirtz is also firmly on Liverpool’s radar, and speaking to TNT Sports, Steven Gerrard has shared his verdict on this potential transfer.
The former Liverpool captain is very excited by the idea of Wirtz joining Liverpool, firmly giving his seal of approval.
Steven Gerrard reacts to Florian Wirtz to Liverpool links
Gerrard shared his verdict on Wirtz after being asked if there’s any players he’d like to see join Liverpool this summer.
The Reds legend says that he thinks Anfield is the perfect destination for Wirtz, claiming that he’s a big talent who has done fantastically for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
“Is there anyone you have your eye on personally that you’d like to see in a red shirt?” Gerrard was asked.
“Well, there’s rumours, obviously, of Florian Wirtz. A big talent. Done fantastic for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, there’s talk that there is going to be a really big signing. A huge talent, huge future in front of him. So Liverpool’s the place for him, let’s hope we can make it happen.”
What Xabi Alonso has said about Florian Wirtz
Steven Gerrard isn’t the only Liverpool legend who is a fan of Wirtz.
As Gerrard says, Wirtz has done a brilliant job for Xabi Alonso in recent times, and the Spaniard has recently hailed Wirtz in a press conference, saying:
“Flo is one of the top players in the world,” Alonso said.
“He is world-class. Flo has a very mature mind. The people around him, his parents, they want the best for him.
“They are in a very important moment of his career.
“Whatever he does, I am really close to Flo, and I will be happy for him.”
Liverpool are yet to sign Wirtz, but all the noise appears to suggest that a deal isn’t far away from being struck.
Wirtz has hit double figures in terms of both goals and assists this season, something Gerrard used to do on a regular basis for Liverpool, and there’s plenty of reason to be excited about this transfer.
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