Chelsea target blockbuster moves for Premier League duo

Tom Weber

• Updated: 30 Dec 2024 09:04 CST
• 4 min read

Chelsea are interested in Bournemouth duo Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi, according to a report.

The Cherries are enjoying a brilliant sophomore campaign under Andoni Iraola. Sitting sixth in the standings, Bournemouth are punching well above their weight and with a bit more good fortune - and a better ability to control games - they could be even better off at this point.

One of the reasons behind their success this term has been a solid defence. Bournemouth have conceded the fifth-fewest goals in the division with 23 in 19 games, which is a better record than reeling champions Man City currently boast.

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Unsurprisingly, then, Bournemouth's highly-rated young defenders are attracting interest from bigger sides. Left-back Milos Kerkez is known to have admirers at Man Utd and Liverpool and he has just signed with a new agency ahead of a likely transfer in 2025.

Centre-backs Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi, too, are becoming increasingly sought-after commodities.

Chelsea eye Huijsen and Zabarnyi

It took Huijsen a while to find his feet after joining from Juventus in the summer, but the 19-year-old has been a standout performer in recent weeks, while Ukraine international Zabarnyi has been very reliable since his arrival in 2023.

Both have been attracting interest from outside of England, with Dutch-born Spanish youth international Huijsen a player Real Madrid have been keeping tabs on since he was 16. Zabarnyi, meanwhile, was recently linked with PSG.

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Both also have admirers in England. According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have taken an interest in the Bournemouth duo as they seek to potentially bring in a new centre-back in 2025.

Axel Disasi could leave the club as early as January and Chelsea, though not desperate to make signings, could move to replace the Frenchman, although signing either Huijsen or Zabarnyi will be very difficult indeed mid-season.