Liverpool hold initial talks to sign PSG star who Andoni Iraola absolutely loves

Liverpool have held initial talks to sign a PSG star who incoming new boss Andoni Iraola absolutely loves, according to reports.

Liverpool agree deal with Andoni Iraola to become new boss

The Reds’ managerial reshuffle appears to be nearing a conclusion, with Iraola increasingly expected to become the club’s next head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot.

Multiple reports today have indicated that Liverpool are closing in on an agreement with the former Bournemouth boss after opening formal talks in recent days.

The Spaniard emerged as the leading candidate almost immediately after Slot’s departure, and negotiations are understood to have progressed very quickly.

Iraola left Bournemouth after guiding the club to a historic sixth-place Premier League finish and Europa League qualification, while Liverpool’s hierarchy seemingly view him as the ideal figure to lead the next phase of the club’s project.

With a new manager seemingly on the way, Liverpool are also stepping up plans in the transfer market.

One position attracting particular attention is central defence, where the Reds are assessing several options ahead of the new campaign, including Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven.

While Virgil van Dijk remains a key figure at Anfield, Liverpool are believed to be planning for both the short and long term as they look to refresh parts of the squad after a disappointing 2025/26 season, especially with Ibrahima Konate now on his way to Real Madrid.

According to DaveOCKOP, ex-Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi has emerged as a potential target.

Liverpool hold initial talks over signing Illia Zabarnyi

The report claims Liverpool have already held initial talks regarding the Ukraine international as they assess whether a deal could be possible this summer.

At this stage there is no indication that formal negotiations are underway, but the exploratory discussions reportedly taking place does point towards genuine interest behind the scenes.

It is also claimed that this comes after Liverpool were offered the chance to strike a deal for the 23-year-old.

Zabarnyi’s stock has risen considerably over the last three seasons.

The ‘incredible‘ centre-back became one of Bournemouth’s most important players after arriving there from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023.

Calm in possession, strong aerially and comfortable defending large spaces, he developed into a cornerstone of Iraola’s side for years before sealing a £57m move to PSG last summer.

That connection naturally adds another layer to the story.

If Iraola completes his move to Liverpool as expected, he would already have extensive knowledge of Zabarnyi’s strengths and character.

The defender was a regular starter throughout his impressive tenure at Bournemouth and became one of the first names on the teamsheet under the Spanish coach.

Liverpool’s interest also fits their wider recruitment model.

At 23, Zabarnyi is young enough to develop further while already possessing significant Premier League experience.

He has also played regularly for the Ukrainian national team and has shown an ability to perform under pressure despite his age.

Iraola has piled praise on Zabarnyi before, admitting how much he adored the player during their time together on the south coast.

During his debut season at the Parc des Princes, Zabarnyi was a regular domestically as PSG clinched another Ligue 1 title, making 28 top flight appearances.

However, in Europe, he didn’t make a single Champions League appearance past the knockout rounds until a 15-minute cameo against Arsenal in the final.