Rúben Dias, one of Manchester City’s most trusted players and club captains, has surprisingly been linked with a potential exit despite his pivotal role since arriving in 2020. Reports last month suggested that City might consider selling the 27-year-old as part of a squad reshuffle.
Dias has been a standout performer for City, earning praise from teammates and coaches alike. Nathan Aké hailed him as “exemplary” since his arrival, while Pep Guardiola recently emphasized Dias’ importance, noting that the international break provides valuable recovery time for the injured defender. Given his reputation and influence, it would be shocking if City seriously considered letting him go.
### **Man City Eye Illya Zabarnyi as Potential Successor**
Despite Dias’ status, City’s recruitment team, led by Hugo Viana, appears to be assessing options for the future. With the club’s squad boasting the fourth-highest average age in the Premier League (27.9), refreshing their lineup with younger talent has become a priority.
According to **TEAMtalk**, Manchester City are closely monitoring AFC Bournemouth centre-back Illya Zabarnyi as a potential successor to Dias. The 22-year-old Ukrainian, who extended his contract with Bournemouth until 2029, has impressed since his move from Dynamo Kyiv. His performances have also caught the attention of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
#### **Praise for Zabarnyi**
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been vocal about Zabarnyi’s abilities, describing him as a “very, very solid centre-back.” Highlighting his defensive prowess, speed, and comfort in duels, Iraola said, *“For someone with his strength, he is quite comfortable even far from goal. He gives the team a lot of things.”*
#### **Competition for Zabarnyi**
Chelsea and Spurs are also in the race for the highly-rated defender. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is reportedly looking to strengthen his defensive options, with Zabarnyi and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah on his radar. Meanwhile, Chelsea remain unconvinced by Benoît Badiashile and Axel Disasi, potentially targeting Zabarnyi or Benfica’s Tomás Araújo as upgrades.
### **Fan Reaction and Squad Evolution**
Letting go of Dias would be a controversial decision for City, given his standing among fans and his consistent performances. However, Hugo Viana may prioritize reducing the squad’s average age and planning for the next generation.
Only time will tell if City intensify their pursuit of Zabarnyi or if Dias remains a central figure at the Etihad. One thing is clear: balancing squad evolution with maintaining quality and leadership will be key to their long-term success.
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