Aniket Rai
Manchester United show interest in Liverpool target Ozan Kabak
A report by Daily Mail states that Manchester United have thrown their hat in the ring for Schalke defender and Liverpool target Ozan Kabak.
The Red Devils are in the market for new centre-backs as they need a solid partner alongside Harry Maguire.
Injury issues around Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly have worried the club, while Victor Lindelof’s fitness has been a problem in recent times.
Both Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo also seem like leaving Old Trafford, and amidst this uncertainty, United have drawn up a shortlist of players to bolster their defence.
One such name being mentioned is the 20-year-old Ozan Kabak. The Daily Mail reported that Kabak was a Liverpool target in the summer.
Even now, Liverpool maintain an interest in the Turkish defender and have been linked with a swap deal which involves their £20million-rated striker Divock Origi.
Another club which will rival United for Kabak’s signature is RB Leipzig. The Bundesliga side are eyeing Kabak as a replacement in case of Ibrahima Konate and/or Dayot Upamecano leaving the club.
Both Konate and Upamecano have a release clause, which has attracted interested from Liverpool as well as United.
Upamecano, in particular, has been on United’s radar recently. The 22-year-old Frenchman has a £36.5million release clause but has also attracted serious interest from Bayern Munich.
However, Kabak is seen as a younger and a cheaper alternative. The 20-year-old has had his asking price reduce from £40million to £25million as Schalke feel the financial effects of the pandemic.
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Kabak has been impressive in his short stint in the German top-flight. Given the current defensive situation at United, Kabak could be a very astute signing for the short, as well as the long term.
