Dean Huijsen BLOCKS Chelsea deal after Real Madrid announcement

Chelsea are interested in signing Illia Zabarnyi this summer, although Bournemouth are reluctant to sell the Ukraine centre-back following confirmation of Dean Huijsen’s move to Real Madrid.

Zabarnyi, 22, has impressed since his move from Dynamo Kyiv to Bournemouth in January 2023 and his form alongside Huijsen this campaign has attracted significant interest from a host of Premier League clubs.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are all eager to sign Zabarnyi this summer, according to GiveMeSport, but Bournemouth are set to resist offers for the 22-year-old.

Andoni Iraola’s side have already lost Huijsen, who will join Real Madrid for €59 million (£50m) this summer, and they are therefore determined to retain Zabarnyi, with an exit reportedly now considered “almost impossible.”

The Ukraine international still has four years remaining on his current contract at Bournemouth, having signed a new deal last July, and he is expected to remain with the Cherries for at least another 12 months.

Chelsea’s centre-back plan

With a move for Zabarnyi now likely to be off the table, Chelsea are instead expected to focus their attention on finalising a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi or Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato.

The pair have been identified as the Blues’ preferred centre-back targets after missing out on Huijsen, and Chelsea are set to engage in negotiations before the 2025 summer transfer window formally opens.

In order to make room for Guehi or Hato, Enzo Maresca’s side are expected to offload Axel Disasi on a permanent deal, while Trevoh Chalobah and Renato Veiga may also be sold ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Wesley Fofana has been tentatively linked with an exit too, amid his persistent injury issues, although Chelsea could opt to retain faith in the Frenchman, whose Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at just €30.3m due to his lack of game time over the past 18 months.

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