Tottenham will be ‘held over a barrel’ by Bournemouth for Illia Zabarnyi transfer, can still sign him ‘a lot easier’ – Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Tottenham would be “held over a barrel” in the January transfer window if they tried to follow up their interest in Illia Zabarnyi, says Paul Robinson.
The Mirror reported on 9 December that the young Bournemouth defender was being tracked by Spurs as they lined up defensive reinforcements this month.
But after signing Radu Dragusin from Genoa once the window opened the ex-England keeper doesn’t feel the club need to push for a deal with the Cherries before the deadline, and that returning to the pursuit in the summer “would be a lot easier to do”.
Zabarnyi, 21, has been ever-present in the Premier League this term for Andoni Iraola and Robinson admits the Ukranian is the right sort of player to fit into Ange Postecoglou’s system, so with injuries hitting both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero this term, and the latter at constant risk of suspension, a Tottenham deal could be on the cards later this year.
“I don’t think they desperately need a centre-half now Dragusin’s come in,” Robinson said, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News.
“It’s a move that they don’t have to rush through in January. If he’s a player that they like, he’s a good quality player, and when Bournemouth have improved I think he’s got better in their system.
“He plays well. I like the way that he’s a ball-playing centre-half, and he would fit into the system [at Spurs].
“But at the moment Tottenham would be held over a barrel for a price that they wouldn’t necessarily want to overpay for the player.
“Bournemouth are now doing well, slowly climbing the Premier League table, and he’s been an integral part of that.
“So a deal to get him out now would be difficult. A deal in the summer would be a lot easier to do.
“And it’s not one that Tottenham urgently have to push through and overpay now.
“Yes, he’s a good player. Yes, he would fit into the system that Tottenham play. But do they need to rush it through? I don’t think they do.”
In other Tottenham news, Robinson admits that another surprise deal with a Premier League rival is possible before the window shuts with so many teams “scared” right now.
For more Tottenham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.