Tottenham Table £60m Offer for Zabarnyi Amid Growing Interest in Rodrygo and Busy Pre-Season Schedule
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a substantial move in the summer transfer market as they prepare for a packed pre-season schedule and seek to strengthen key areas of their squad. The North London club is said to have submitted a £60 million bid to sign AFC Bournemouth centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi, a player attracting attention from several Premier League sides.
According to journalist Duncan Castles via The Transfers Podcast, Spurs are leading the race to sign the highly-rated 22-year-old defender. “Tottenham, one of several Premier League clubs interested in Zabarnyi, have tabled a €70 million offer — approximately £60 million — which matches Bournemouth owner Bill Foley’s valuation,” Castles revealed. “Zabarnyi is regarded as one of the quickest centre-backs in the league and has maintained near-perfect availability over his two seasons in the English top flight.”
If the deal goes through, it would break Tottenham’s transfer record, surpassing the fee they agreed last summer for Dominic Solanke — an initial £55 million, with up to £10 million in add-ons. This aggressive approach underlines the club’s intent to bolster their defensive line, which struggled with consistency last season.
Spurs Join Race for Real Madrid Star Rodrygo
Meanwhile, Tottenham have also been linked with Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, whose future at the Bernabéu is becoming increasingly uncertain. The Brazilian international has reportedly slipped down the pecking order following the arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach. Though Alonso has publicly insisted that Rodrygo remains an important member of the squad, several Spanish media outlets suggest the player has been quietly encouraged to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Spanish outlet AS reports that Spurs are among a handful of clubs monitoring the situation, joining the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in expressing interest. However, Real Madrid’s current asking price — said to be around £78 million — could be a stumbling block, especially as most potential suitors are unwilling to meet such a high valuation. There is growing speculation that Los Blancos may eventually lower their demands to facilitate a deal.
Arsenal, having already spent significantly this summer on the likes of Noni Madueke, may be unlikely to make another major investment on a winger. Chelsea, on the other hand, are still in need of wide attacking reinforcements and have the financial power to act. As for Spurs, while they are actively looking for a winger, it’s uncertain whether they would prioritize such a high-spending move on one position, given the other areas that also need reinforcement.
Thomas Frank Explains Double Friendly Schedule
On the pitch, Tottenham continue to ramp up preparations for the 2025/26 season. Thomas Frank’s squad will play two matches on Saturday — an early, behind-closed-doors fixture against Wycombe Wanderers, followed by a more public outing against Luton Town. Both games are part of a calculated approach to ensure the entire squad gains sufficient match fitness ahead of their upcoming pre-season tour of Asia.
“We wanted to add an extra game to our schedule to give more players vital match minutes,” Frank told the club’s official website. “The plan is to field two evenly balanced teams, with each player getting between 60 and 75 minutes on the pitch. This way, by the end of the day, at least 22 players will have clocked significant game time — which is exactly what we need before flying out.”
Tottenham are aiming for a more competitive season under Frank’s leadership, and the early indications from the training camp suggest a high level of intensity and ambition both on and off the field.