Ozan Kabak is desperate to leave crisis club Schalke in the January transfer window amid reported interest from Liverpool and AC Milan, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport.
Who can blame one of Europe’s most highly rated centre-halves from planning to escape the most cataclysmic of black holes that is Schalke 04?
A 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday means one of Germany’s most historic clubs is sprinting towards a first relegation since 1988.
Schalke have failed to win any of their last 25 (25!) Bundesliga games, accumulating only three points from a potential 27 in 2020/21.
And while interest from Liverpool and Serie A leaders AC Milan suggests Kabak is a defender of substantial potential, the Turkey international is hardly blameless for Schalke’s ongoing plight.
The former Stuttgart stopper was disastrous in the 8-0 opening day defeat to Bayern Munich before being sent off against Werder Bremen a week later.
He even conceded not one but two penalties in a clash with fellow strugglers Mainz.
But, rather than help turn a sinking ship around, Gazzetta claims Kabak is counting down the days until the January window opens.
What’s more, cash-strapped Schalke have as many problems off the field as they have on it at the moment and would be willing to sell for as little as £13 million next month.
That is despite a £40 million release clause in his contract (BILD).
“We are still in economically challenging times, which you can see from the fact this season may have to be played to the end without any spectators,” Schalke director Jochen Schneider told WAZ when asked if Kabak would be sold.
“I cannot, and do not, want to rule out anything.”
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