Liverpool drop plans to sign Schalke’s Turkish centre-half Ozan Kabak
Fans of reigning Premier League champions Liverpool have been treated to quite the week of transfer business by their club. Although they started the campaign having signed only Kostas Tsimikas, in the matter of just days Jurgen Klopp has managed to change the mood around the club.
The announcements of Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara and Portuguese trickster Diogo Jota occurred within the space of 24 hours, much to the joy of the fans. Another player that they were tipped to be looking at though, was Turkish defender Ozan Kabak.
A recent report by the The Athletic (h/t Express), however, has claimed that the Reds have dropped their plans to acquire the Schalke centre-half. Not just that, it seems that Liverpool have dropped all plans of acquiring a new centre-half this summer.
This information comes on the back of a sensational defensive display by Brazilian midfielder Fabinho this past weekend against Chelsea. The versatile Anfield-favourite held his own against the pace and directness of Timo Werner, and this has seemingly tipped the scales.
Liverpool’s current defensive situation isn’t the most comfortable one in the world, with both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip out injured. This leaves Virgil Van Dijk as the only natural defensive option at Klopp’s disposal, meaning that he could be forced to depend on Fabinho for the upcoming weeks.
Even when Matip and Gomez have been fit though, neither has provided the most secure presence alongside the Dutchman in the heart of defence.
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Ozan Kabak is a promising young centre-half who has been tipped for a bright future. The 20-year-old has been on the Reds’ radar for a while now, having impressed during the last Bundesliga campaign.
Although signing him would offer Liverpool a good investment opportunity as well, the report has clarified that they’re not going to make any further moves in the summer.
Whether or not Klopp’s decision will backfire come the end of the season remains to be seen. But if the win against Chelsea is anything to by, then there should be no reason for concerns.
