Liverpool are interested in signing central defender Ozan Kabak from Bundesliga side Schalke this summer, according to reports from Germany.
It has also been reported by Sport Bild that Liverpool have a concrete interest in the highly-rated 20-year-old, and may look to bring him to Anfield as a replacement for Dejan Lovren who has completed his switch to Zenit St Petersburg.
Liverpool Interested in Signing Ozan Kabak
Time at Schalke
Schalke, who finished 12th in the Bundesliga, have reportedly set an asking price of €35 million (£31.9 million) for the defender. Kabak also has a release clause of €45 million, however, it doesn’t come into effect until 2021.
Kabak scored three times and has made one assist for David Wagner’s Schalke after arriving from fellow Bundesliga side VFB Stuttgart in 2019. Wagner and Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp are best friends, and were best men at each other’s weddings, meaning the Reds boss should already be well briefed on his potential target.
Klopp is thought to be a fan, a hint that there is some interest from the Premier League champions. Although, at this time, Schalke have refused to comment on the Turkish defender’s future.
Kabak was part of the Galatasaray side that won the Turkish Süper Lig in 2017/18, making 14 appearances for the Lions. The youngster also makes up a plethora of impressive Turkish centre-backs alongside Caglar Soyuncu and Merih Demiral. Making his debut in 2019, his only cap to date.
He was named Bundesliga ‘Rookie of the Season’ for 2018/19, and could now head to the Premier League champions in what would be another step forward for his young career.
As the champions look to bolster their squad for the next season, Kabak could add strength in depth and possibly challenge both Joel Matip and Joe Gomez for the number one choice to partner Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool already have youngsters Sepp van den Berg and Ki-Jana Hoever as potential defensive options following the departure of Lovren. Signing Kabak could well see their chances limited to U23 football once more next season.
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