Liverpool have now joined Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign an “excellent” £42 million player, according to a new report.
Liverpool chasing teenage defender as Joe Gomez future unclear
There are a number of areas of the team that Arne Slot will want to address this summer, but none may be more important than the defence. That is because Trent Alexander-Arnold has already left, while Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk are not getting any younger despite their legendary status.
Milos Kerkez is edging closer to a move to Anfield, and he is likely to replace Robertson straight away, and now the Reds have their eyes on a young central defender who could one day succeed Van Dijk.
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ByEthan LambJun 4, 2025
According to Moroccan outlet Le360 Sport, via Sport Witness, Liverpool have made a concrete offer to sign Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal from Stade Rennais. It isn’t clear how much this offer is worth, but the Reds have obviously seen enough, despite the fact that the teenager hasn’t played for Stade Rennais’ first team, to make an offer. They are not alone in their pursuit, as Newcastle United have met with the player’s agent and are also interested in a deal.
This comes as Premier League bound Burnley are interested in signing Joe Gomez. Liverpool are said to be open to offers for the defender, and this has alerted the Clarets as well as teams such as Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham, Leeds and Sunderland, who are all keeping a close eye on his situation. Gomez is valued at around £25 million by the Premier League champions.
Liverpool join PSG in transfer Zabarnyi race
The Reds’ decision to allow Gomez to leave may be because, according to TBR Football, Liverpool are interested in signing defender Illia Zabarnyi from AFC Bournemouth.
The Cherries have already lost Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid this summer, and Kerkez looks set to move to Anfield, but the departures may not stop there. Zabarnyi was another impressive individual for Bournemouth last season, and while the Cherries don’t want to lose him, that might be easier said than done.
L’Equipe have already reported that Zabarnyi has become a defensive priority for PSG, as Luis Enrique has been left impressed by his defensive capabilities. The French champions have made contact with Bournemouth over a move, as they want the defender in before the Club World Cup.
However, they are not alone, as now Liverpool and Chelsea have also joined the race to sign the defender, who will not be allowed to leave Bournemouth for anything less than €50 million, which is roughly £42 million.
Appearances
36
Clean sheets
8
Interceptions per game
1.1
Tackles per game
1.4
Balls recovered per game
4.4
Clearances per game
5.0
Errors leading to a goal
0
Liverpool are huge admirers of Zabarnyi, who has been dubbed “excellent” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and they are keeping an eye on his situation. The Reds’ move for Zabarnyi may depend on what happens to Gomez, but either way they will have a smooth route to negotiations, as the 47-cap Ukraine star uses the same agency as midfielder Curtis Jones.