Liverpool in talks to land PSG defender Zabarnyi as Konate exit looms

Liverpool face a significant defensive reshuffle this summer after Ibrahima Konate's departure became all but certain, and the club has now been presented with an intriguing alternative in the form of PSG's Ilya Zabarnyi.

The France international's exit appears inevitable following a breakdown in contract renewal talks. Negotiations had reached an advanced stage in April, with both parties agreeing on salary and contract length, but stumbled over the finer details of bonus structures. The impasse centred on performance-related incentives—including bonuses for winning major trophies and appearance-based add-ons—which neither side could reconcile. After weeks of discussions yielded no breakthrough, Konate will depart Anfield as a free agent following five years with the club.

With that defensive void to fill, Liverpool have now received an approach regarding the Ukrainian centre-back. The opportunity emerged during parallel negotiations between the Reds and the representatives of Curtis Jones, when the same agency flagged Zabarnyi as a potential target. Preliminary conversations have begun, though talks remain at an exploratory stage at present.

The 24-year-old appears susceptible to a move away from the French capital. Zabarnyi has reportedly grown unsettled in Paris, and PSG would consider parting with him should their valuation be met. The Parisians acquired him from Bournemouth last summer for £54.5 million in guaranteed fees, with a further £2.6 million available through add-ons—putting his total package at £57 million.

Whether Liverpool will pursue the deal further remains to be seen. Bayer Leverkusen's Jarrell Quansah, who departed the club for Germany last year, and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck have already been mooted as potential replacements for Konate.