[ad_1]
Liverpool ‘open talks with Schalke on Ozan Kabak’ as Jurgen Klopp identifies £ 20 million as emergency cover for injured Virgil van Dijk
- Liverpool have started talks with Schalke about young defender Ozan Kabak
- Reds need defenders after Virgil van Dijk’s injury
- Jurgen Klopp is a fan of Kabak and wanted him in the summer window
- Schalke want £ 30 million for the 20-year-old, but Liverpool offer £ 20 million
Liverpool have reportedly started talks with Schalke about a move for their highly skilled center-midfielder Ozan Kabak while Jurgen Klopp moves to cover the injured Virgil van Dijk.
The Premier League champions have been shaken by the loss of their defensive colossus, who has been ruled out for most of the season after injuring his knee in a clash with Jordan Pickford.
Van Dijk’s injury leaves Klopp’s side with no options in the center of defense, with Fabinho cornered to cover the 29-year-old in games against Ajax and Sheffield United.
Liverpool have reportedly started talks with Schalke about a move by defender Ozan Kabak
The 20-year-old defender is highly qualified and Liverpool is believed to be preparing a £ 20 million offer.
And according to The Mirror, Liverpool have told Bundesliga Schalke that they want to sign their 20-year-old defense this January.
The German coach is believed to be an admirer of the young center-back, and the Reds are believed to have made a move for Kabak in the summer, but because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Schalke had valued their defender at £ 40m, but the ramifications of Covid-19 mean Liverpool are optimistic they can sign the young talent for half that figure.
The German team is still seeking £ 30 million for Kabak, but the Reds are believed to make a £ 20 million offer for the Turkish defender.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp desperately needs defensive cover after a major injury
Defensive colossus Virgil van Dijk is out for most of the season after sustaining a knee injury.
Kabak has been with Schalke for just over a year after the club activated its £ 13 million release clause to buy him from Stuttgart in the summer of 2019.
He passed the rank in Galatasaray before moving to Germany. The 20-year-old has won four games for his country.
Liverpool bounced back from Van Dijk’s defeat with a close win over Sheffield United on Saturday.
Klopp’s team canceled a goal behind, with Fabinho conceding a controversial penalty in the first half. The goals of Firmino and the new signing Diogo Jota completed the return.
