Liverpool target Ozan Kabak will be sold if cash-strapped Schalke receive an offer of £18 million, according to BILD, while teammate Malick Thiaw is also a target for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
With the Premier League champions scouring the market for a talented young defender capable of compensating for Virgil van Dijk’s long-term absence, Liverpool could turn to a club who have just set an unwanted Bundesliga record.
No team in the history of Germany’s top flight have conceded as many goals as Schalke (20) in their first six games of a new campaign.
While Kabak endured a personal nightmare in that infamous 8-0 opening day defeat to Bayern Munich, he can at least defend himself by pointing out that he has only featured in two of those six games through injury.
Thiaw has played just twice too. And the highly-rated Finn had a first senior goal to celebrate as Schalke produced a much-improved display in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Stuttgart.
Kabak and Thiaw are hardly the finished article. At 20 and 19 respectively, it would be hugely unfair to blame two inexperienced defenders for Schalke’s struggles – their vast potential is not in question.
It speaks volumes a Liverpool side famed for unearthing rough diamonds have identified both as potential January targets.
Kabak has a £40 million release clause in his contract but, according to BILD, Schalke are willing to sell for just £18 million after an ongoing financial fall-out sent them spiralling towards the abyss.
The £7 million-rated Thiaw was linked with Liverpool back in April and, according to Sport1, he was flattered by their interest.
Now, a man often compared to Reds star and former Schalke ace Joel Matip is on Liverpool’s radar again.
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