Liverpool have decided not to sign on-loan centre-back Ozan Kabak on a permanent deal. The Turkey international joined in January as Liverpool’s injury crisis worsened. The deal included an €18 million option to buy, however, Liverpool have decided against a permanent transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Ozan Kabak to Leave Liverpool Following Loan Spell
Ozan Kabak’s Time at Liverpool
Kabak joined Liverpool on February 1, 2021, to provide essential cover at centre-back. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all suffered season-ending injuries, hence the need for Jurgen Klopp to bring him in. He made his debut against Leicester City, in a 3-1 defeat where he was involved in a mix-up with Alisson for one of the goals.
Things didn’t get much better for Kabak as he lost two of his next three games. Liverpool tumbled to eighth in the table and it looked as though they would miss out on Champions League football. However, with ten games to go, the Reds underwent a resurgence in form. Kabak started each of their next five games, winning three and drawing two.
However, Kabak would miss the last five league games due to a muscle injury. It turned out that Liverpool didn’t miss him, as they won all five, and ended up finishing third. Kabak also featured in their Champions League campaign. After helping to keep a clean sheet in both legs against RB Leipzig, Liverpool disappointed when faced with Real Madrid in the quarter-final.
Liverpool Turn to Ibrahima Konate
Perhaps the reason why Kabak will leave is that Liverpool are set to sign a different defender from Germany. Fabrizio Romano also confirmed today that Ibrahima Konate is set to join from RB Leipzig. Konate has completed a medical ahead of Liverpool paying his €35 million release clause.
Konate will join Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip as the first choice, experienced centre-backs at Anfield. That will leave Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and the forgotten Ben Davies as cover. Barring another injury-hit season, it would be unwise to make the Kabak deal permanent. Although he did not do a bad job for Liverpool, unfortunately, it seems there is no room for Kabak with players returning from injury.
What Next for Ozan Kabak?
Kabak will now return to his parent club, Schalke, although it seems that the 21-year-old will not stay for much longer. Schalke were relegated from the Bundesliga this season and will seemingly allow Kabak to leave this summer. Having been informed of Liverpool’s decision, Kabak has already started speaking to other clubs ahead of a potential summer move.
There are apparently many clubs interested in Kabak, as per Fabrizio Romano’s tweet. RB Leipzig are one of the clubs interested, according to James Pearce of The Athletic. Leipzig clearly see him as an ideal centre-back replacement as Konate follows Dayot Upamecano out of the club. Alternatively, Kabak could remain in the Premier League next season, as Leicester City are reportedly interested too.
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