Liverpool offered cut-price Ozan Kabak deal with Schalke ‘desperate’ to flog

After enduring an injury crisis in defence for much of last season, Liverpool have reportedly been offered (and swiftly turned down) the chance to sign Ozan Kabak for a cut-price fee.

The Turkey international spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Anfield from Schalke, making 13 appearances in all competitions for the Reds.

A clause in that deal meant Liverpool had the chance to sign Kabak for just £18million, but they’ve since shunned an opportunity to make him theirs for less than half that price.

The Athletic reported Jurgen Klopp’s side have rejected Schalke’s offer to purchase Kabak for just £8.5m due to the fact they now feel ‘so well stocked’ at centre-back.

Goal’s Neil Jones backed up that report by adding Schalke are ‘desperate to offload’ Kabak this summer as a means of balancing the books following their relegation from the Bundesliga.

The Merseysiders moved early in the summer transfer window to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig after triggering his £36m release clause, recruiting one of Europe’s most promising defenders.

Klopp will hope to have a full complement of defenders at his disposal during the upcoming campaign.

Do you think Liverpool are making the right decision turning down Kabak? Let us know in the comments section.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip each missed substantial chunks of last season due to injuries, compelling Liverpool to sign Kabak (on loan) and Ben Davies in the January transfer window.

The club will feel particularly upbeat about Van Dijk’s return after he opted to miss the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 campaign in a bid to make sure his knee was healthy for the new season.

Moreover, Klopp has academy graduates Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams among his options after they racked up good experience in the absence of their more senior team-mates last term.

In the event Liverpool remain uninterested in Kabak, former Reds manager Brendan Rodgers could step in to sign the player for Leicester instead.

Journalist Chris Williams recently tweeted that the two parties were in discussions as Schalke sought €15m (£12.8m) for the player.

However, the Foxes may seek a lower-cost deal after learning of the German club’s ‘desperation’ to sell, with Williams adding the King Power Stadium “seems the final destination” for Kabak.

A move to Leicester could see the youngster team up alongside Turkey team-mate Caglar Soyuncu.

Rodgers has already signed Patson Daka and Boubakary Soumare from Red Bull Salzburg and Lille, respectively, this summer.

Liverpool will open the 2021/22 Premier League campaign away to promoted Norwich City on August 14, though the summer transfer window won’t close until August 31.

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