Liverpool are set to miss out on Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car.
The French club were only willing to sell if they had a replacement lined up. With time running out, they have opted to reject Liverpool’s latest offer.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will have to look at other options as the clock ticks down.
Marseille to Keep Duje Caleta-Car
Caleta-Car Stays Put
It was reported that the Croatian centre-back was ready to board a flight to Manchester last night, but Marseille put the brakes on proceedings.
They have been unable to find a replacement defender and selling Caleta-Car at this stage of the season is risky.
Whether Liverpool will come back in for the 24-year-old in the summer remains to be seen. It is likely their attention will turn to RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano.
Kabak to Anfield
Schalke defender Ozan Kabak is the man to benefit from Caleta-Car’s failed transfer. The 20-year-old is reportedly undergoing a medical at Schalke to speed up the transfer.
Similarly to Marseille, Schalke need a replacement first. It seems a deal for Shkodran Mustafi will go through before the 5pm (GMT) deadline in Germany.
Kabak will likely join Liverpool on loan with an option to buy clause for around £30 million.
Ben Davies Joins Reds
Kabak will probably not be the only centre-back joining Liverpool today. Ben Davies is expected to sign from Preston North End in a £500,000 deal. There are £1.1 million of add-ons included in the deal.
An injury crisis and poor form meant Liverpool signing centre-backs in January was always expected. The board appear to have waited very late to get the wheels in motion, however. It’s likely that Joel Matip’s recent injury forced their hand.
Signing two new defenders will allow the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to go back into the midfield, rather than filling in as makeshift defenders.
Main Photo
