Liverpool reportedly have no interest in signing Turkish international Ozan Kabak from Schalke in the January transfer window.
According to a report by Liverpool Echo, Liverpool have distanced themselves from rumours linking Ozan Kabak to them over a possible winter transfer. The Premier League champions are, in fact, yet to make their mind up over a January acquisition of a centre-back to cover for the absence of Virgil van Dijk.
Back in July, Liverpool were on top of the world after finally ending a wait of three decades to lift the Premier League title. Fast forward to the present campaign and the Reds have made a slow start to the season, including that embarrassing 7-2 humiliation at the hands of Aston Villa.
To make matters far worse, the Merseyside club are set to be bereft of the services of the defensive leader Virgil van Dijk for a long time after the Dutchman picked a long-term knee injury against Everton. There are suggestions that this injury is set to keep van Dijk out for the remainder of the season and as a result, Liverpool have been linked with a bevy of centre-backs.
One of these reported targets is Ozan Kabak, who had also been linked with the Premier League champions in the summer transfer window. A move, though, failed to materialise, as Liverpool chose not to replace Dejan Lovren and instead opted to promote Rhys Williams.
However, van Dijk’s injury has sent Jurgen Klopp into a dizzy as far as his central defensive options are concerned. The Liverpool boss now has Joel Matip and Joe Gomez as the only recognised centre halves at his disposal in addition to the young Williams. With Matip himself struggling with fitness issues, Klopp has chosen to deploy Fabinho as a makeshift central defender.
Hence, it is not surprising that Liverpool have been linked with a number of centre-backs. But, the report suggests that the Reds have not yet made their mind up over a possible January recruitment for the heart of their defence. In particular, Liverpool have distances themselves from the Kabak links.
Liverpool Echo have cited a source at Anfield, who believes “it is simply the work of an exuberant agent and a team desperate for the cash” and that it is too soon to say if Liverpool loosen their purse strings for a centre-back this January. It is also claimed that the English champions have Ben White identified as a long-term option.
White’s £50 million valuation is currently proving to be problematic and the report suggests that a move for White may be put off till next summer. As far as Kabak is concerned, it is unlikely that Liverpool will make a move for the Turkish international, if Liverpool Echo are to be believed.
