Liverpool FC are set to open talks with Bundesliga side FC Schalke over a deal for the highly-rated Ozan Kabak in January as Jurgen Klopp seeks to improve upon his current centre-back options in his first-team squad.
With Virgil van Dijk’s knee injury sidelining the star defender for nearly the entire 2020-21 season, the Liverpool FC boss is short on options at the heart of the defence and has for the time being chosen to draft Fabinho in the centre-back role alongside Joe Gomez.
Kabak had been a target for the Premier League champions this summer as well, however, the Merseyside outfit had not gone ahead with a swoop for the Turkish international at that time, instead, opting to straighten other areas on the pitch.
Reports from the Daily Mail suggest that FC Schalke will be demanding a fee worth £30 million for the 22-year old Kabak, but the Reds will only be willing to offer £20 million to the German club, with the hope of reaching upon an agreement before the winter transfer window even commences.
It is understood that Klopp is a long-term admirer of the young centre-back and would prefer to sign him instead of making an uninspired and desperate looking move for the 34-year old free agent Ezequiel Garay.