Schalke have confirmed they have given Ozan Kabak permission to miss training this week to secure a summer transfer amid interest from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The German outfit have told Kabak to focus on his future away from the Veltins-Arena over joining Die Konigsblauen’s training camp in Mittersill, Austria. Kabak was due to link up with Dimitrios Grammozis’ squad after missing the start of their pre-season while at Euro 2020.
Kabak failed to play a single minute at the European Championship as Turkey crashed out in the group stage. Senol Gunes’ side lost all three of their fixtures. Yet his decision to overlook the 21-year-old failed to remove Premier League interest after his Liverpool loan.
Fabio Paratici has assessed a move to bring Kabak back to England after Tottenham named him their new Managing Director, per TuttoMercatoWEB. While The Athletic reported Steve Bruce considered a deal in May, but Schalke’s £18m valuation was an issue for Newcastle.
Yet Schalke are increasingly keen to sell Kabak and have now told him to focus on securing a transfer. This follows Sporting Director Rouven Schroder telling Kicker last week that he expected a move to be secured ‘in a timely manner’, with a €15m (£13m) fee muted.
This week is now decisive in Kabak securing a move away from the Veltins-Arena, potentially to Newcastle and Tottenham’s benefit. Bruce is still in the market for a centre-half, as the Daily Record claim the Toon have baulked at Celtic’s demands to sell Kristoffer Ajer.
Schalke clear path for Kabak to join Newcastle or Tottenham
Schake are continually clearing a path for Kabak to return to the Premier League with either Newcastle or Tottenham. The German outfit will now hope to see the Turkey defender land a move this week. And, likely, long for either the Toon or Spurs to come forward with a bid.
But Schalke’s £13m demands may still prove restrictive, as the Daily Record note Newcastle refused to pay £15m for Ajer. Tottenham have not rushed to sign Kabak, either, despite being available for less than Liverpool’s £18m rising to £26.5m option.
Jurgen Klopp took Kabak to Anfield in the winter amid a raft of injuries in central defence. The £34,000-per-week enforcer took time to adjust to the Premier League but delivered some promising displays along the way. But a muscle problem cut short his season just as the 12-cap international was starting to really find his feet.
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